Fun with bouncing mothballs

Press, 24 May 1977, Page 20

Fun with bouncing mothballs

In this experiment mothballs bounce about in a glass of water. The secret lies in using baking soda and vinegar which make carbon dioxide gas. The gas forms into tiny bubbles and you can see them around the sides and bottom of the glass and clinging to the rough coating of the mothballs. The bubbles are like lifebelts and raise the mothballs to the surface of the water. You need: — a glass of water: 3 ' mothballs; 2 tablespons of baking soda; 2 tablespoons of vinegar.. Use an old tablespoon for measuring. Fill the glass almost to the top with water and add the vinegar and soda. Stir until the baking soda has all dissolved. Next add 3 month balls, they will sink to the bottom. Leave the glass in a safe place for about two hours. Return to your experiment. You will discover that the mothballs are jumping up and down in the glass. Notice the tiny bubbles clinging to them. The bubbles lift the mothballs to the top of the water, and there, some of them break off and the mothballs sink. Once more bubbles collect around them and bring them up again.

The mothballs will keep bouncing until all the chemicals are used up, and as this may take two or three days, your family and friends will enjoy your experiment too.