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🧪 Science with Sarah: Exploding ‘Stomachs’ 🤯

This chemical reaction is classically explosive

👉 Watch the video of Sarah’s school science experiment here!

Hello parents, teachers and students! If you’re looking for fun way to explore chemistry, this experiment is for you!

Be sure to check out GMSA@9 on Wednesdays when Meteorologist Sarah Spivey does the demonstrations and explains the science behind it.

Science with Sarah: Invite KSAT to your school for live science experiments. (KSAT)

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Here are the materials you need for your exploding "stomach" (Copyright KSAT 2023 - All rights reserved)
  • Vinegar
  • A tissue
  • Baking soda
  • A ziplock bag
  • Warm water
  • Measuring cup

DO THE EXPERIMENT

  • NOTE: It’s best to work outdoors if you can. This can be a bit messy! Use a buddy if you can
  • STEP 1: Add 3 teaspoons of baking soda onto the center of a tissue and fold it to make a little bundle. Place this aside.
This is what your baking soda bundle should look like! (Copyright KSAT 2023 - All rights reserved)
  • STEP 2: Add 1/4 cup of warm water to the ziplock baggie
  • STEP 3: Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the baggie
  • STEP 5: Seal up the baggie most of the way, but leave some space so that you can put the bundle of baking soda into the bag.
  • STEP 6: This next part requires you to act quickly -- place the bundle of baking soda into the bag and zip it up the rest of the way. Then quickly place it on the ground. Watch as the baggie expands and pops!
The "stomach" will expand and pop! (Copyright KSAT 2023 - All rights reserved)

HOW IT WORKS

Vinegar is and acid and baking soda is a base. When these two combine, they produce a chemical reaction -- producing carbon dioxide gas. The gas causes the bag to expand and POP! it busts open.

Our stomachs contain stomach acid, which helps digest our food. Our digestive system is in a delicate balance, and if that balance is disturbed it can lead to uncomfortable side effects. So, be careful what you eat!

SCIENCE WITH SARAH

If you’d like Sarah and David to come to your school and conduct a science experiment live on KSAT, email sciencewithsarah@ksat.com.

Parents and guardians: upload a video of your child performing the activity by clicking here. Send it in and you might see it on GMSA @ 9 a.m.!

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About the Authors
Sarah Spivey headshot

Sarah Spivey is a San Antonio native who grew up watching KSAT. She has been a proud member of the KSAT Weather Authority Team since 2017. Sarah is a Clark High School and Texas A&M University graduate. She previously worked at KTEN News. When Sarah is not busy forecasting, she enjoys hanging out with her husband and cat, and playing music.

Ben Spicer headshot

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.

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