Make Your Own Volcano

Created by Newcastle University Library Education Outreach Team

_{WALLIS-1175-5-SCI-622, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB186.}

Follow these steps to make your own miniature erupting volcano model!

Place the plastic bottle upside down in the middle of a piece of A3 paper and trace the opening with a pencil.
Use scissors to cut a straight line towards the circle, then cut out the circle.
Wrap the paper around the bottle so that the very top of the bottle can be seen where the circle was cut out.
Cut off any corners around the base of the paper cone so that it can sit flat.
Tape the overlapping sides of the cone to each other, and tape the top of the cone to the neck of the bottle.
Use paint to decorate the volcano however you wish. Make sure the paint is fully dried before proceeding.
Once dry, take the volcano outside and lay down newspaper or other protective sheets as this experiment will get messy!
In a bowl, mix the baking soda, water and washing up liquid and pour this mixture into the bottle.
In a separate cup, mix the red food colouring and the vinegar.
Carefully and pour this mixture into the bottle and stand back once poured.
Wait for the volcano to erupt!