Create Your Own Inflation Station to Blow Up a Balloon

Use the gas produced when you combine vinegar and baking soda to inflate a balloon.

Shared by STEM Girl Day Partner: 3M

Recommended Grade: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th

Recommended Materials:

• An adult helper
• A balloon
• A funnel
• Clear, empty water bottle (at least 12 oz. or larger)
• Measuring cup
• 1 cup of Vinegar
• 1/4 cup Baking Soda

The Challenge:

You probably know that when you mix certain chemicals together, sometimes strange and amazing things happen. One of the most popular reactions is combining Baking Soda and Vinegar to create a beautiful mountain of bubbles. But have you ever wondered if you can use that reaction to do something useful? In this activity, we will explore how we can you a chemical reaction to do some work!

In this activity, you will create your own inflation station to blow up a balloon.

 Activity Video:

Instructions and Procedures

Visit https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/gives-us/education/science-at-home/inflation-station/ for the full instructions and explanations.

STEM Connections

What gasses are in the space around you? Are gasses different in the sky or in space?

In this experiment, carbon dioxide is created. Carbon dioxide is a gas and needs lots of room, so it rushes into the balloon and fills it up. Carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas. Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical. Plants use carbon dioxide and energy from the sun to perform photosynthesis. Automobiles emit carbon dioxide as a byproduct of burning gasoline. It can be harmful when it is too abundant. 

3M's Science at Home