Uploaded October 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Crushing a plastic bottle using the power of chemistry!
Equipment: plastic bottle, wooden stick, 4 tbsp baking soda, 100 mL 6% vinegar solution, drain cleaner containing sodium hydroxide.
Pour 4 tbsp baking soda into a plastic bottle and add 100 mL 6% vinegar solution. This initiates a tumultuous reaction; wait for it to die down. Check that the bottle is filled with carbon dioxide by inserting a lit splint; the splint should go out. Pour some sodium hydroxide-based drain cleaner into the bottle. Close the bottle and shake. The mixture inside heats up noticeably, and the bottle collapses!
The baking soda and 6% vinegar solution react to form sodium acetate, water, and carbon dioxide.
NaHCO3 + CH3COOH → CH3COONa + H2O + CO2↑ Wait until the reaction is over and check that the bottle is full of carbon dioxide using a lit splint. The splint should be extinguished at the bottle’s neck. Сarbon dioxide doesn't support combustion, so if the splint is extinguished, this indicates that a significant portion of the air in the bottle has been replaced by carbon dioxide.
2NaOH + CO2 → Na2CO3 + H2O
Drain cleaner usually contains sodium hydroxide which, when introduced to the bottle, interacts with carbon dioxide and releases a significant amount of heat, forming sodium bicarbonate. It may even melt a little! The amount of gas in the bottle decreases, and the bottle is crushed under external pressure.
Learn about the awesome properties of other substances with the sets from the MEL Chemistry subscription!
Safety precautions: Caution! Observe safety rules when working with these substances. Wear protective gloves, eyewear, and a mask.
Crushing a plastic bottle using the power of chemistry!
Equipment: plastic bottle, wooden stick, 4 tbsp baking soda, 100 mL 6% vinegar solution, drain cleaner containing sodium hydroxide.
Pour 4 tbsp baking soda into a plastic bottle and add 100 mL 6% vinegar solution. This initiates a tumultuous reaction; wait for it to die down. Check that the bottle is filled with carbon dioxide by inserting a lit splint; the splint should go out. Pour some sodium hydroxide-based drain cleaner into the bottle. Close the bottle and shake. The mixture inside heats up noticeably, and the bottle collapses!
The baking soda and 6% vinegar solution react to form sodium acetate, water, and carbon dioxide.
NaHCO3 + CH3COOH → CH3COONa + H2O + CO2↑ Wait until the reaction is over and check that the bottle is full of carbon dioxide using a lit splint. The splint should be extinguished at the bottle’s neck. Сarbon dioxide doesn't support combustion, so if the splint is extinguished, this indicates that a significant portion of the air in the bottle has been replaced by carbon dioxide.
2NaOH + CO2 → Na2CO3 + H2O
Drain cleaner usually contains sodium hydroxide which, when introduced to the bottle, interacts with carbon dioxide and releases a significant amount of heat, forming sodium bicarbonate. It may even melt a little! The amount of gas in the bottle decreases, and the bottle is crushed under external pressure.
Learn about the awesome properties of other substances with the sets from the MEL Chemistry subscription!
Safety precautions: Caution! Observe safety rules when working with these substances. Wear protective gloves, eyewear, and a mask.
