Get out the baking soda and mess around with these 5 science experiments

Baking soda is a staple in most homes. Used in baking, cooking, and cleaning, it's a cheap way to solve a lot of problems (think of it as the duct tape of the kitchen world). But, despite it's innocent (and useful) appearance, baking soda can be quite entertaining.
When you combine baking soda with the right ingredients, you can turn a dull rainy day into an exciting learning opportunity for both young and old. Check out a few of these fun ideas to try at home:
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1. Baking soda volcano
This was the bee's knees of experiments when I was in school. A little baking soda (with a bit of food coloring) and a little vinegar equals an epic volcanic eruption. The combination of an acid and a base creates a unique chemical reaction.
2. Baking soda stalactites (h/t ThoughtCo.)
This experiment illustrates how stalactites and stalagmites are created in caves. When the baking soda is diluted in the water, the molecules spread throughout the liquid. As the water evaporates those particles come back together again in an attempt to reform. As they dry on the yarn, you get crystals.
3. Use baking soda to power a toy car (h/t Little Things)
This is a different way to watch the power of the chemical reaction that occurs when vinegar and baking soda get together. The mixture creates oxygen and pressure, the force of which pushes the little vehicle across the floor.
4. Exploding colors
Using little droppers to add colored vinegar to baking soda not only makes for an exciting art/science project, but it also lets little ones get a closer peek at the acid-base reaction, which is the creation of carbonic acid that immediately begins to disintegrate.
5. Watch it burn (h/t Layers of Learning)
This combination of ingredients creates a unique burning environment. The baking soda and sugar both contain carbon, which turns black when it burns. This creates the "creature." The fluffing effect is the result of carbon dioxide trapped inside the sugar.
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