KS3

How to make carbon dioxide (CO₂)

Part ofChemistryChemical reactions

How to make carbon dioxide (CO₂)

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

This video can not be played

A short video on how to make CO₂.

Have a go

Skip image gallery

Image caption,
WHAT YOU NEED: vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, a small glass, a teaspoon and a candle.
Image caption,
STEP 1: Light the candle. REMEMBER: lit candles are a fire risk, so make sure you have an adult with you!
Image caption,
STEP 2: Pour 100 millilitres of vinegar into a large glass. The vinegar contains ethanoic acid.
Image caption,
STEP 3: Add a small teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. The scientific name for this is sodium bicarbonate. The mixture should start to foam as the sodium bicarbonate reacts with the ethanoic acid and produces bubbles of carbon dioxide gas.
Image caption,
STEP 4: Pour the carbon dioxide onto the flame. The CO₂ gas is heavier than air so pours down onto the burning candle wick. It displaces the oxygen fuelling the flame and puts it out!

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

This video can not be played

More on Chemical reactions

Find out more by working through a topic

How to make bread
count
12 of 12
Introduction to chemical reactions
count
1 of 12
Oxidation
count
2 of 12
Catalysts
count
3 of 12