Erupting Volcano: One of the Most Exciting Science Projects!
I once needed to work on this project. After searching the web for pictures and how-to videos, I wasn't quite satisfied because most simulate an eruption only with reactants like baking soda and vinegar. The reaction can last for minutes, but not indefinitely.
We don't want to deal with flammable and messy stuff either.
So here's where I've found another use for my aquarium air pump.
[Original Video]
It's not hard to make. If you want or need to make one, you can follow these steps.
You will need (Size up everything depending on your preference):
a rectangular piece of corkboard
illustration board
old newspapers
papier-mâché glue
glue gun/all-purpose glue
watercolor
Empty plastic bottle (250-500ml / 0.5-1 pint)
Aquarium air pump (entry-level works fine) and hose
3/8 in (10mm) plastic straw, the length of which is about 75% the height of the bottle.
box cutter
assorted brushes (for watercolor and varnish)
clear or maple Varnish
soapy water
- Remove the bottle cap. Cut the top (funnel-like) part of the bottle, invert it and glue it into the body of the bottle. This will be the crater.
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Glue the bottle onto the center (hard side) of the corkboard.
Cut a notch on the side of the 'crater' for the aquarium hose to be glued on.
Insert the hose into the straw and the straw into the 'crater'. The straw must rest on the bottom of the bottle, but notch it for water to seep in. For the hose, leave a little space for bubbles to form and rise inside the straw.Glue the straw on the edge of the original mouth of the bottle, leaving space for water to drain back into the bottle.
Do a test run by filling the bottle with soapy water (up to the bottom of the 'funnel'), and connecting the air pump. The straw must spit water up and circulate it back through the funnel, back into the bottle. Soap foam may spill over the crater, but it should continue 'erupting' for as long as it's plugged in and there's enough water in the bottle.
Build your papier-mâché around the bottle and cover the hose on the side of the volcano. The other end of the hose goes to the air pump.
Paint the volcano and the illustration board with the desired color/background picture. Cut the illustration board to your desired shape and height. Glue it on the corkboard's edges on the back and either side. If your board is large enough, you can bend it around the three sides of the corkboard seamlessly.
After the paint dries, coat everything with varnish for protection.
Put some pebbles in the crater to hide the straw and hose. Trim down the straw just enough so that the pebbles won't fall in.
Do a final test run when the varnish is totally dry. You can also add watercolor to the soap water or thicken it with a little starch to make it look more like lava.
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The good thing about this approach is you can keep it going for as long as you want! -Just like a decorative indoor fountain.