The Science:
The carrot, which naturally sinks in water is made more bouyant by adding toothpicks. When you place
the carrot sub in the water it sinks to the bottom and the baking powder packed in the hole gets wet. A chemical
reaction occurs, causing bubbles to form. The bubbles build up in the hole in the bottom and make the sub more bouyant,
causing it to rise to the surface. When it hits the surface, it leans over and releases the bubbles reducing it's bouyancy
and causing it to sink again. The baking powder continues it's fizzy reaction, creating more bubbles, allowing the cycle
to repeat several times.
BAKING POWDER SCIENCE:
Baking powder is a mixture of cornstarch plus powdered acids and bases. When you add water, a fizzy chemical
reaction occurs that creates carbon dioxide gas. These bubbles of gas make biscuits and cakes fluffy and light -
and also make carrots float!
More fun:
- Stir the water for a moving sub
- What happens with really cold water? Hot water?
- Why won't baking soda work?
Check out all the Cool Science projects at www.coolscienceclub.tripod.com