Lava Lamp Chemistry Demonstration 

The Lava Lamp demo was all about density. An example that the demo used was how to oil sat on top of the water because oil has a lower density than the water. I learned how Alka-Seltzer tablets react within the lava lamp. Alka-Seltzers release CO2 when it is combined with a liquid. I already knew how density works, but working on the lava lamp showed me how it works with everyday items. I think this demo helped me personally because I don’t like going up in front of the class all by myself and talking, but for this project, I had to so it made me less nervous for next time.  From my other classmate’s demos, I learned how different chemicals can affect everyday objects. 

First, I picked out a demo from a stack of ones that students have done in the past. I chose the lava lamp, and then I figured out what materials I would need to get for it. I went to the store and bought Alka-Seltzer tablets because I didn’t have them, and the rest of the items I already had. Next, I practiced at home about 3 different times and I presented it to my mom, just like I would to the class. Lastly, I made a slideshow to go with the demo. Some challenges I faced were how many Alka-Seltzer tablets to put in the bottle so that it would perform the best. I figured out how many tablets were best, by practicing multiple times and adding more each time. If I wanted to improve this demo, I would probably use a bigger bottle to show it off better. I don’t really have questions about this demo, just because it was pretty much self-explanatory and I learned how it all works together to form a lava lamp.