Properties of Solutions- Root Beer Fountain

Root Beer Fountain

Description: A short metal rod is heated and then dropped into a freshly opened bottle of root beer. A fountain of foam shoots out since carbon dioxide is less soluble in warm root beer than cold root beer.

Source: Chem 13 News #267

Year: 1998  Vol: 7   Page: 27

Keywords: Root beer, Carbon dioxide, Metal rod, Temperature, Solubility

Ratings:

Hazard: Some

  • Electric shock hazard
  • Flammability hazard
  • Burn/scald hazard

Effectiveness: Good

  • Good connection from demo to course material
  • Results are clearly observable to audience
  • High reliability
  • Time to results is low
  • Contrast in system behavior obvious
  • Good effects are seen by audience

Difficulty: Medium

  • Procedures with some intermediate steps to results
  • Simple manipulations for most to perform
  • Reaction or demos at non-standard conditions

Safety Precautions:

  • Eye protection required
  • Thermal gloves recommended
  • Tongs recommended
  • Absorbent materials on hand
  • Use of tray recommended
  • Use of UL approved three-prong plug and outlet required
  • ABC fire extinguisher on hand

Class: Solubility, Properties of Solutions

Division: General

Home| General Chemistry Demos