Continue with Microsoft TeamsObserving a
Chemical Change
Mixing substances together sometimes causes a chemical change to take place. This type of chemical change is called a chemical reaction. In this experiment, you can observe a chemical reaction.
Do not eat any of the antacid tablet or drink the liquid in this experiment.
What You Need
- Partner to work with
- Clean plastic water bottle (single-serving size)
- Water
- Effervescent antacid tablet
- Paper towel
- Latex balloon about 10 in. (30 cm) diameter when inflated
- Clock or timer
Getting Ready
- Blow up the balloon and let the air out. (Make sure the balloon does not get so big that it breaks.) Repeat two or three times.
- Practice putting the opening of the balloon over the mouth of the water bottle. (You and your partner will need to do this fairly quickly during the experiment. Decide now who will hold the bottle steady and who will put the balloon over the mouth of the bottle.)
What You Do
- Pour water into the bottle until the bottle is half full.
- Over a paper towel, break the antacid tablet into several pieces. Drop the pieces into the bottle. (Be ready for the next step!)
- Quickly put the balloon over the mouth of the bottle. Notice how the balloon looks.
- Wait for one minute and watch what happens. (If the balloon gets big enough to break, do the next step right away.)
- Pinch the neck of the balloon and carefully pull it off the bottle. Slowly let the air out of the balloon.
- Pour the liquid down the drain and throw out the balloon.
Show What You Know!
Complete some questions about the reading selection by clicking “Begin Questions” below.
