Dancing Raisins
Science at Home
Arizona Science Center and #SariOnScience are here to be your resource for bringing science to life at home. From crafts to experiments, we’re here to be your resource for fun science activities that spark curiosity and motivate learning! Materials are easy to find, most activities take an hour or less, and the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning is limitless.
Target grade level(s): Pre-K - 5th
Dancing Raisins Chemistry Experiment
Observe how raisins will dance in a glass! Vinegar and baking soda react to form carbon dioxide bubbles. When these bubbles are formed they stick to the raisins and their many wrinkles, causing them to float to the top. When the raisins reach the top, bubbles tend to pop and release the gas which, in turn, allows the raisins to sink back down to the bottom.
Supplies
One (1) plastic cup
One (1) teaspoon baking soda
Several (6-7) raisins
Water
Vinegar
How-To
1. Fill your cup about halfway with water
2. Add one teaspoon of baking soda and stir until dissolved in water
3. Add 6-7 raisins into the cup
4. SLOWLY pour in vinegar until the cup is three-fourths full
5. Watch the raisins dance
Guiding Questions
1. What is happening to the raisins?
2. What is causing the bubble to form?
3. What type of gas if formed?
