Cool Science Club

Fizzy Eyeballs
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They look like they are dissolving in a vat of Hydrochloric Acid!

Materials:

Citric Acid Powder (obtained from drugstore)

Baking Soda

Vegetable oil

Plastic spoon

Plastic cup

Wax paper

Markers

 

Procedure:

  1. Add 1 spoonful Citric Acid powder to cup.
  2. Add 2 spoonfuls Baking Soda to cup and stir to mix.
  3. Add one spoonful Vegetable Oil and stir till thoroughly mixed.
  4. Mixture should be a thick paste- a bit drier than toothpaste- not drippy or runny.  Add a couple drops of oil if too dry or a little baking soda if too wet.
  5. Roll mixture into one or two small balls and place on wax paper to dry for 24 to 48 hours. 
  6. After 24 – 48 hours, draw a pupil, iris and red veins so it looks like a real eyeball.

 

Place the Fizzy Eyeball in a glass of water and watch what happens.  Tell observers the water is super strength hydrochloric acid for a spooky science illusion! 

eyeball.jpg

The Science:

Citric acid powder is an acid and baking soda is a base.  When the two are mixed with the vegetable oil they don’t react because water is needed to start the reaction.  When the Fizzy Eyeball is placed in water the acid and base react in a fizzy chemical reaction.  Carbon dioxide and hydrogen bubbles are released. 

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