Today we are doing a dancing raisins experiment! Kids of all ages, both younger kids and older kids alike, will have fun with this dancing raisins experiment. It’s not only fun, but scientific, and educational. Plus, it is a fairly simple science experiment to put together. You can do this dancing raisins experiment at home or in the classroom.
Dancing Raisins Experiment
Science and learning doesn’t have to be boring. Rather, it can be fun and educational and something kids want to learn about. And this dancing raisins experiment is the perfect way to get kids interested in science.
Kids will be able to explore density as well as buoyancy through the “dancing” of the raisins. The raisins are denser than the water. If you drop raisins in water, they typically sink. But, if you drop them into a glass of soda (clear), you will see a different reaction.
So, before you do this experiment what do you think will happen with each glass. You can use our scientific method printables to help keep up with your predictions.
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Related: What is surface tension? Here is a simple science activity for kids.
Supplies Needed For This Dancing Raisins Experiment
How To Set Up Your Dancing Raisins Experiment
Step 1
Leave the soda in 1 bottle, but fill the other bottle with water.
Step 2
Put 4 raisins in both bottle.
Step 3
Write down what happens to the raisins in each bottle.
It’s that easy!
The Outcome Of Your Science Experiment
Where your predictions correct? What did you think would happen with the raisins in each bottle. It’s okay if you didn’t get it right.
The Science Behind The Dancing Raisins Science Experiment
When you put raisins in the bottle with the soda pop, the raisins break the surface tension of the liquid. This causes the carbon dioxide molecules from the soda to come to the raisins. The raisins will accumulate bubbles. The air wraps itself around the raisin making it less dense. So, in the end, the raisin will rise in the liquid. As the bubbles come close to the surface, they burst. The raisin will then begin to fall because it has lost its buoyancy. Neat, huh?
Fun Variations To The Dancing Raisins Science Experiment
If you do this experiment outside or are prepared for a messier science experiment… try dropping a handful of raisins into your soda pop.
What do you think will happen? What actually happened?
You could also stir the soda so that there is less bubbles. Drop some raisins into the soda. What happens? Will the raisins rise or fall?
You could also use different things like peanuts, grapes, cranberries, etc.
Materials
- Raisins
- 2 Bottles Carbonated Soda
- Water
Instructions
- Leave the soda in 1 bottle, but fill the other bottle with water.
- Put 4 raisins in both bottle.
- Write down what happens to the raisins in each bottle.
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How did your dancing raisins experiment turn out?
