1. My hypothesis: I predict that when I add a piece of Alka Seltzer to the bottle, it will react with the water, producing bubbles that will cause the colored water to rise and fall through the oil, creating a lava lamp effect.
2. Results: (draw what happened above) - The Alka Seltzer tablet dissolves in the water, releasing carbon dioxide gas. The gas forms bubbles that carry the colored water up through the oil. When the bubbles reach the top, they pop, and the water drops back down through the oil, creating a continuous up-and-down motion.
3. My Conclusion: Why did the Alka Seltzer cause the oil and water to behave that way? The Alka Seltzer reacts with the water to produce carbon dioxide gas. The gas forms bubbles that attach to the denser, colored water, making it less dense and causing it to rise through the oil. When the bubbles pop at the surface, the water becomes denser again and sinks back down, creating a continuous cycle that mimics a lava lamp.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of science experiment worksheet.
