A car is called a gas guzzler when it wastes gas. In this experiment, gas wastes water. Try it and see!
Things Required:
A square piece of coffee filter, about 4″
3 teaspoonfuls of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
A shallow bowl of water
A rubber band
A tall, narrow jar filled with water
Permanent marker pen
Magnifying hand lens
Directions:
Place the baking soda in the middle of the square of the filter. Gather the filter together to make a pouch and fasten the top with a rubber band. Place the baking soda pouch in the tall jar of water and place your hand over the opening. With your hands in place on the bottom and the top of the jar, turn the jar upside down and place its opening in the bowl of water. Remove your hands. Mark the water line on the jar. Watch the glass jar with the hand lens. Be patient; you must wait at least for an hour for results.
This Is What Happens:
Bubbles rise from the pouch in the bottom of the jar to the top of it. Some bubbles cling to the sides of the jar. Within an hour the water drops slightly, but noticeably, below the marked water line.
Science Behind It:
As the baking soda in the pouch is dissolved by the water, it produces carbon-dioxide gas (CO2). This gas needs room in the jar, so it displaces the water, or forces some of it out of the jar, lowering the water level.
