Hooked on science: Make a fire extinguisher

Using a few things from around the house and some help from an adult you can create your own fire extinguisher.

Materials

• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Glass bowl
• Match

Instructions

STEP 1: Place 3 tablespoons of baking soda into the bottom of the glass bowl.

STEP 2: Secure the candle in the center of the glass bowl and then light the candle using the match.

STEP 3: Pour half a cup of vinegar into the glass bowl. Do not pour the vinegar on the candle.

Explanation

When you mixed the baking soda and vinegar you caused a reaction that created carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide extinguished the flame.

Jason Lindsey is a Science Outreach Educator for the Bootheel Youth Museum. Check out his Web site "Hooked On Science" at hookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments that might get you hooked on science. Send him your science questions at jlindsey@bootheelyouthmuseum.org. More science experiments can be found at www.semissourian.com.