Exploding Sandwich Bag

In this activity Students will work in groups to prepare

their ziploc bag for a mini-explosion (pop) :) To get the vinegar and baking
soda sealed in the bag without allowing the chemicals to mix first will test
their groups ability to work together. Once the chemicals are mixed,
students will observe the chemical reaction and celebrate
the volume of their bags pop.

16
Activity

Copyright Science Demo Guy 2014

VIDEO LINK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRGKPkj8HKQ
Due to the size of my videos, and the size limit that TPT and Teacher's Notebook puts on the files I
can provide for you, I've included your video as an unlisted youtube link (meaning you can find it,
whereas the general public can't). Some people like to have these actual video files stored on their
computers as mp4s. If you would like to do this, I've provided instructions below on how to download
it.

How to download my youtube video as a video file on your

computer
There are numerous websites that will help you download a youtube video onto your computer. This just
happens to be my favorite one. What you'll need to do is follow these 3 steps:
1. Copy the URL that I provided above
2. Paste it into the box on savefrom.net (see screenshot below)
3. Click the download button then select "MP4 360p" as the quality

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GY E N

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After it has downloaded, it will be available in your downloads folder!

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Teacher Instructions (Exploding Sandwich Bag):

There are many ways to use this activity in your classroom. Below is just one suggestion.

Set out the materials (per station):

3-4 ziplock sandwich bags (ziplock freezer bags are even better)
vinegar (1/2 cup or 125mL for each pop ... so 3 or 4 times this amount)
measuring cup or beaker
baking soda (1 small box for each group)
1 tablespoon
3-4 tissues
OPTIONAL: You may run this activity with both normal sandwich bags and freezer bags and have
the students determine which is better.

Introduction:
I like to start this activity by showing the students a demonstration. I put a tablespoon of baking
soda into a plastic cup and pour some vinegar on it and watch it foam up and over the edge of the
cup. Then I ask "what do you think would happen if we sealed that inside a ziplock bag?" After a
few responses, I say that today we are going to make some exploding (popping) sandwich bags!
Tell the students that this challenge will test your groups ability to work together to get the
loudest pop AND to describe what's happening that leads to the pop.
Direct students to follow their student instructions sheet. As students are working, wander the
classroom and ask questions about why they are doing what they are doing. If students ask
questions to you the teacher, encourage them or their group to answer :)

The Science Behind this Activity:

The baking soda and vinegar react chemically to produce a gas. This gas is carbon dioxide (CO2).
The carbon dioxide that's formed is in the gas form which has a much larger volume. So as more
gas is produced the bag starts to expand until it can't expand anymore. This is when pressure
starts to build. When the pressure is too great, the bag pops (usually right at the sealed section).

Extension Question:

This asks students to brainstorm things that they could do to get an even louder pop. If you have
the time available, it would be great to share ideas the next day and vote on the best 2 or 3 ideas
and have the kids try them maybe the next day.

Copyright Science Demo Guy 2014

Materials Need for the Exploding Sandwich Bag Activity

Materials listed below are per group (3-4 students)

3-4 ziplock sandwich bags (ziplock freezer bags are even better)
vinegar (1/2 cup or 125mL for each pop ... so 3 or 4 times this amount)
measuring cup or beaker
baking soda (1 small box for each group)
1 tablespoon
3-4 tissues
Student instructions Sheet
OPTIONAL: you may run this activity with both normal sandwich bags and
freezer bags and have the students determine which is better.

Copyright Science Demo Guy 2014

STEM Activity Challenge

Student Instructions - Exploding Sandwich Bag
Student Name(s):___________________________________________________

Challenge: Can

you get your sandwich bag to

pop? Can you get the loudest pop in the class. Can
you also describe all of your observations?

1. Set-up:

You will need

an empty sandwich bag, 1
tissue, 1/2 cup vinegar and
2 tablespoons baking soda.

2. Experiment:

3. Observations:

4. Explain:

What
did you see and hear? Write
all observations below.

5. Extension Question:

Follow your
teacher's directions on when and
how to set up your exploding bag.
Don't allow the chemicals to mix
until you're told to do so! When
it's your turn, allow the
chemicals to mix and give it a
little shake then set it down and
watch!

Why do you
think that happened?

What changes could you

make to get an even louder pop?

Copyright Science Demo Guy

STEM Activity Rubric

Activity /
Challenge:

Exploding Sandwich
Bag

Teacher Name:

_______________

Student Name:

_______________

CATEGORY
4
Problem-solving Actively looks for and
suggests solutions to
problems.

Contributions

Attitude

Grade

__
20

3
Refines solutions
suggested by others.

1
Does not try to solve
problems or help others
solve problems. Lets
others do the work.

Routinely provides
Usually provides useful
useful ideas when
ideas when participating
participating in the group in the group and in
and in classroom
classroom discussion. A
discussion. A definite
strong group member
leader who contributes a who tries hard!
lot of effort.

Sometimes provides
Rarely provides useful
useful ideas when
ideas when participating
participating in the group in the group and in
and in classroom
classroom discussion.
discussion. A
May refuse to
satisfactory group
participate.
member who does what
is required.
Never is publicly critical Rarely is publicly
Occasionally is publicly Often is publicly critical
of the project or the
critical of the project or critical of the project or of the project or the
work of others. Always the work of others. Often the work of other
work of other members
has a positive attitude
has a positive attitude
members of the group. of the group. Often has a
about the task(s).
about the task(s).
Usually has a positive
negative attitude about
attitude about the task(s). the task(s).

Focus on the task Consistently stays

focused on the task and
what needs to be done.
Very self-directed.

Focuses on the task and

what needs to be done
most of the time. Other
group members can
count on this person.

Working with
Others

Usually listens to,

shares, with, and
supports the efforts of
others. Does not cause
\"waves\" in the group.

Comments:

2
Does not suggest or
refine solutions, but is
willing to try out
solutions suggested by
others.

Almost always listens to,

shares with, and supports
the efforts of others.
Tries to keep people
working well together.

Focuses on the task and

what needs to be done
some of the time. Other
group members must
sometimes nag, prod,
and remind to keep this
person on-task.
Often listens to, shares
with, and supports the
efforts of others, but
sometimes is not a good
team member.

Rarely focuses on the

task and what needs to
be done. Lets others do
the work.

Rarely listens to, shares

with, and supports the
efforts of others. Often is
not a good team player.