A volcano is actually formed when molten rock, ash and gases are spewed from a rupture in the crust of the earth. As the molten lava that accumulates around the rupture solidifies, the volcanic mountainous structure is formed. Homeschool programs that I design always consist of activities involving the making and working of a volcano.
Some structures are cone shaped as the lava is thicker and solidifies before it travels far enough. Some structures are flatter, as the lava is thinner and travels to a greater area before becoming solid. Then there are also volcanoes that erupt on the sea bed and spew lava above the water level. At some places islands have been formed in the sea due to volcanic eruptions. In the homeschool programs that I design I teach kids how to build conical or mountain-shaped volcanoes.
Bed Trays
Some volcanoes erupt again and again and are called active volcanoes. There are some that have shown a history of erupting after a huge time span of may be hundred years or so, and are called dormant volcanoes. Then there are some volcanoes that have erupted hundreds of years ago, and scientists feel that they are never going to erupt again: extinct volcanoes.
Today I am going to show you how to build your own volcano and make it erupt. Homeschool programs are fun because they enable you to do this on a table or on your kitchen island.
First you will have to build the structure of the volcano.
The Volcano Structure: In a mixing bowl take two cups of flour, two cups of soil, one cup of sand and one cup of salt. Now add warm water slowly and begin to mix the contents to form stiff dough. Remember to add water slowly or else you may get a thin paste. If the mixture is thin, add more flour as per the requirement and mix thoroughly. Once the required consistency is attained you must begin to build the volcano structure.
Make a mountain of the dough in a cookie tray. When the dough is still wet, carve out a piece of dough from the top of the mountain to make a hollow, the size of a Dixie cup. Now pass a thin iron rod from the base of this Dixie cup hollow to the bottom of the mountain to form a thin tubular channel connecting the Dixie cup hollow to the base of the mountain.
Insert a thin tube through this channel in such a way that it comes out from under the base of the mountain and there is still spare tube left at the base of the mountain. Now one end of the tube is attached to the base of the hollow and the other end is free. Attach a rubber bulb pump to the free end.
See to it that the base of the volcano is sealed to the cookie tray so that no reactant leaks out from the base.
The Reactants: Fill a bucket half with warm water and add a cup of liquid soap and two cups of baking soda to it. Gently mix the solution without foaming it up. Fill another bucket half with warm water and add a cup of aluminum sulfate (found at the gardening area of your hardware store) and some red food coloring. Stir gently.
The Reaction: We have prepared two solutions. When the two solutions are mixed in the volcano cavity, you will see red lava flowing out of the volcano. As the lava flows press the rubber bulb and see the volcano spew out lava in the air.
After pressing the rubber bulb immediately remove the bulb and clamp the tube with a metal clamp to avoid the foaming liquid from being sucked into the bulb. You may reattach the bulb and repeat the action for further spewing.
Homeschool programs use volcanoes to teach how two or more reactants combine chemically to form substances that are different and give out gases.
The free "Homeschool Parent's Guide to Teaching Science" is filled with great science experiments and activities. Get your copy by clicking the link below.
Cyber Monday Winsome Wood Bed Tray 2011 Deals
Dec 02, 2011 10:52:35
Click for larger image and other views
Cyber Monday Winsome Wood Bed Tray Feature
- Sturdy bed tray for serving in bed, on the sofa, or outside on the patio
- Solid wood frame with natural finish and white melamine top
- Legs fold to make simple serving tray and compact storage
- Wipe clean with damp cloth
- Dimensions when legs open and stand are 24.66-Inch W x 13.94-Inch D x 9.22-Inch H
- Legs folded measures 21.80-Inch W x 13.90-Inch D x 2.10-Inch H
Cyber Monday Winsome Wood Bed Tray Overview
Winsome Wood's Bedtray with handles and folding legs makes it easy serve with and store when not in use. The natural finish on the solid wood legs and frame make it a sturdy serving piece. The legs can be folded for use as a serving tray. The white melamine serving surface is functional for serving and easy to clean with a damp cloth.SAVE NOW on Cyber Monday offers below!
Available In Stock. |
| This Cyber Monday Winsome Wood Bed Tray ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. |
Price : Click to Check Update Prices Please. |
