======Bubbling Lava Lamp======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Alternative titles:** Homemade Lava Lamp
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
*Baking Soda Lava Lamp*  
  - Place a few tablespoons of baking soda in the bottom of a tall, clear jar.  
  - Add water until the jar is one-quarter full.  
  - Stir in 5–10 drops of food coloring.  
  - Carefully pour in vegetable oil until the jar is about three-quarters full.  
  - Add vinegar one tablespoon at a time and watch bubbles carry colored water upward, creating a lava lamp effect.  

*Antacid Lava Lamp*  
  - Fill a tall jar halfway with vegetable oil.  
  - Add water until the jar is about three-quarters full.  
  - Mix in 5–10 drops of food coloring.  
  - Break an antacid tablet into pieces and drop them in one at a time.  
  - Watch the fizzing bubbles create colorful movement like a lava lamp. 



====Links==== 
Make your own LAVA Lamp - Jocelyn Presents Science is for everyone: 
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DIY Lava Lamp at Home - WCIA News: 
{{youtube>9FRqIsIS91Q?}}\\

📄 Lava Lamp Experiment - Playful Parenting: [[https://mcm.org/lava-lamp-experiment/]]\\



====Variations====
  * Try different food coloring combinations for multicolored effects.  
  * Use different sized jars to see how container shape changes the effect.  
  * Add glitter for extra sparkle.  
  * Place the jar on top of a flashlight in a dark room for a glowing lamp.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Do not seal the jar while the reaction is active—gas buildup can cause pressure.  
  * Handle vinegar and antacid tablets responsibly; avoid ingestion during the experiment.  
  * Supervise children when handling glass containers and liquids.  
  * Place jars on a tray or newspaper to contain spills.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does the colored water stay separate from the oil?  
  * What gas is produced during the reactions, and how does it move the water?  
  * How does the reaction differ between baking soda with vinegar and antacid tablets with water?  
  * What would happen if you put the lid on the jar during bubbling?  
  * How does density play a role in this experiment?