Dancing Corn Experiment

Watch popcorn kernels dance using carbon dioxide

By performing this straightforward experiment you can see how carbon dioxide causes things to move.

What you need

• A clear glass or cup
• A few pieces of popcorn kernels
• Water
• Baking soda
• Vinegar

Instructions

1. Pour water into the glass and drop several popcorn kernels into it
2. Add one spoonful of baking soda to the water and stir
3. Slowly pour vinegar into the glass
4. Watch as the popcorn kernels start moving up and down
5. Observe the bubbling action and dancing motion

How it works

When baking soda and vinegar mix, they create carbon dioxide gas. The gas bubbles attach to the popcorn kernels, making them float up, then pop and make them sink down again.