How can one mimic a volcano eruption using household chemicals safely?
We've tried it in a testing tube with baking soda and vinegar. This wasn't quite as impressive as expected.
On the web we've found recipes that add food coloring (red) and dish washing liquid to the mix. I guess the latter is for some bubbling effect.
What we have:
- A volcano made from paper-mâché (classic volcano cone form, perhaps a bit steeper than natural)
- Center hole big enough to fit a 1.5 liter water bottle
Note: this is supposed to be done with kids, so please don't propose any method that would generate poisonous fumes or similar.
Meanwhile tried a soda ($\ce{NaCO_3}$, i.e. not baking soda $\ce{NaHCO_3}$) solution poured into a dish washing solution, then adding a citric acid solution. It was pretty good, but a bit too quick. Vinegar seems to work better than citric acid, too. Also I used warm water to dissolve the reagents.