demonstrations:bubbling_slime

Bubbling Slime

Materials: ★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
Difficulty: ★☆☆ Can be easily done by most teenagers
Safety: ★☆☆ Minimal safety procedures required

Categories: Acids and Bases, Polymers, Special Occasions

Alternative titles: Vinegar and Baking Soda Slime

Summary

This experiment combines vinegar, xanthan gum, and baking soda to make bubbling slime. The vinegar and baking soda undergo an endothermic chemical reaction, releasing carbon dioxide gas that bubbles through the gooey slime.

Procedure

  1. Pour 2 cups of vinegar into a bowl or container.
  2. While stirring vigorously, slowly sprinkle 1¼ teaspoons of xanthan gum across the top to prevent clumping.
  3. Add food coloring if desired and stir well.
  4. Refrigerate the mixture for a few hours to allow the xanthan gum to fully hydrate.
  5. After chilling, whisk the slime until smooth and gooey. If it is too thick, add a small amount of vinegar to thin it.
  6. Spread a layer of baking soda over the bottom of a clean container.
  7. Pour the slime over the baking soda and watch bubbles rise through the slime.
  8. Stir the slime into the baking soda for even more bubbling action.

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DIY Fun BUBBLY Slime! Fun SLIME Science Experiment! How To Make FUN BUBBLING SLIME!- The Wild Adventure Girls:


📄 Bubbling Slime Chemical Reaction Science Experiment - Science Fun For Everyone: https://www.sciencefun.org/kidszone/experiments/bubbling-slime-chemical-reaction-science-experiment/

Variations

  • Place the slime and baking soda inside a resealable bag, add vinegar slime, seal it, and watch it inflate.
  • Experiment with different amounts of baking soda to see how bubble production changes.
  • Try other food-safe thickeners (e.g., guar gum or cornstarch) instead of xanthan gum to compare slime textures.

Safety Precautions

  • Perform on a washable surface or use trays, as the experiment can get messy.
  • Do not eat the slime—it is not food-safe.
  • Wear safety goggles when mixing baking soda and vinegar to avoid splashes.
  • Dispose of the slime in the trash, not the sink, to prevent clogs.

Questions to Consider

  • What gas is produced when vinegar and baking soda react? (Carbon dioxide, CO₂.)
  • Why does the slime bubble more when stirred? (Stirring helps the vinegar and baking soda mix more, releasing more gas.)
  • Is the reaction endothermic or exothermic? (Endothermic—the reaction absorbs heat, making the mixture feel cooler.)
  • How does xanthan gum affect the reaction? (It thickens the vinegar into slime, trapping and slowing the release of bubbles.)