Pop Rocks candy creates a fun and fizzy science experiment when mixed with soda. Discover what happens when you combine Pop Rocks and soda in this easy and explosive science activity!
Pop Rocks and Soda Experiment
Everything around us is made up of matter, which exists in three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. A physical change happens when matter changes form, but no new substances are created. For example, when ice melts into water, it’s still water, just in a different state!
Now, let’s take those concepts and apply them to the Pop Rocks and Soda experiment! This is a great way to see physical changes in action!
Science Concepts Explored:
- Physical Changes: Understanding how gas is released from liquids in a physical reaction.
- Carbon Dioxide: Exploring the role of carbon dioxide gas in carbonated drinks.
- Gas Bubbles: Learning how bubbles form and rise to the surface in a liquid.
- Pressure: How pressurized gas escapes from the soda and fills the balloon.
Grade Level: This experiment is great for Grades 2-5, but younger kids (Grades K-2) can also enjoy the hands-on fun with some adult supervision.
Experiment Supplies:
- 3 bags Pop Rocks Candy Variety Pack
- 3 (16.9 to 20-ounce bottles) of soda in different varieties
- Balloons
- Funnel
Pop Rocks and Coke Experiment Set Up
STEP 1: Stretch the balloon with your hands, making an effort to expand the neck of the balloon.
TIP: Avoid blowing into the balloon, as the moisture from your mouth will cause the candy to stick to the inside of the balloon later on.
STEP 2: Place the mouth of the balloon over the small opening of a funnel. Then pour one package of Pop Rocks into the funnel and tap the funnel to force the Pop Rocks down into the balloon.
TIP: If the candy refuses to move through the funnel, try pushing it with a bamboo skewer without puncturing the balloon.
STEP 3: Open the soda and place the opening of the balloon over the top, taking care to have the mouth of the balloon completely over the top of the bottle without dropping the candy into the balloon.
STEP 4: Tip the balloon up and shake slightly (if needed) to transfer the candy into the soda. Watch what happens to the soda and the balloon!
TIP: Use a level surface to prevent the bottles from falling over.
Gas will begin to form immediately. Expect the soda to fizz, the candy to crackle, and the balloons to inflate with air and foam.
If a balloon fails to expand, examine the experiment to determine what went wrong. Typically, this occurs when the balloon does not entirely cover the top of the soda bottle.
🔎 The Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloon Experiment is an example of a chemical reaction vs a physical reaction.
What Happens When You Mix Pop Rocks and Soda?
Have you ever wondered why Pop Rocks make a popping noise when you eat them? When Pop Rocks dissolve, they release a small amount of pressurized gas, specifically carbon dioxide, which causes the candy to pop in your mouth.
But when you mix Pop Rocks and soda, something even cooler happens! While the candy alone doesn’t have enough gas to inflate a balloon, soda helps out.
Soda is a carbonated drink, meaning it contains a lot of pressurized carbon dioxide gas trapped inside. When the Pop Rocks are dropped into the soda, the gas from the soda collects on the candy, forming bubbles. As the candy dissolves, the gas escapes from the soda and rises to the top of the bottle.
This gas fills the space at the top of the bottle and moves into the balloon, causing it to inflate! The more gas that escapes, the bigger the balloon gets.
This is an excellent example of a physical change, even though it may appear to be a chemical reaction. The gas is simply moving from the soda into the balloon, without any new substances being created.
💡 Other experiments that work similarly are Diet Coke and Mentos!
Pop Rocks and Soda Myth – Can It Make You Explode?
What happens when you eat and drink Pop Rocks and soda simultaneously? Pop Rocks and soda myth! It won’t make you explode, but it might cause you to release some gas. This is a great physical reaction, not a dangerous chemical reaction!
Using the Scientific Method with the Pop Rocks and Soda Experiment
The scientific method is a great way to explore what happens when you mix Pop Rocks and soda! Here’s how you can use the method for this experiment:
- Ask a Question:
What will happen when you add Pop Rocks to soda? Will the balloon inflate? - Make a Hypothesis:
What do you think will happen? Maybe you think the balloon will inflate quickly, or maybe you think it won’t inflate at all. - Test It:
Set up the experiment by adding Pop Rocks to the soda and watch the balloon fill up with gas. - Look at the Results:
Did the balloon inflate? How fast did it happen? How much gas did the balloon collect? - Share Your Findings:
Talk about what you learned. Did your hypothesis match the result? How can you explain the fizzing reaction?
👉 Want to make it even easier? Use our free printable science worksheets below to guide your experiment!
Bonus Pop Rocks Experiments
Here are several ways you can apply the scientific method by changing the independent variable and measuring the dependent variable:
More Fun Science Experiments
- Diet Coke and Mentos Eruption
- Skittles Experiment
- Drops of Water On A Penny
- Magic Milk
- Egg In Vinegar Experiment
- Elephant Toothpaste
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