Mind Blowing Science: Dancing Powders

The first activity in "Mind Blowing Science" is Dancing Powders. It's similar to pouring vinegar into baking soda to produce carbon dioxide gas, but this version is citric acid (powder), baking soda, and water.

The point of this activity is to teach that citric acid is an acid, and that baking soda is a base, and when they mix (in water) they produce a chemical reaction. They neutralize each other and form carbon dioxide. The bubbles and the fizz is the carbon dioxide escaping from the water/citric acid/baking soda liquid.

LEFT: The chemical reaction. RIGHT: Steps 1 through 3.