Food science is the study of making food delicious and safe to eat. When we understand the science behind food, we can make smart choices about what to eat and how to cook food.

Spaghetti is denser than water and, therefore, sinks when placed in water. When spaghetti is placed in a solution of baking soda and vinegar, the spaghetti rises to the surface due to the carbon dioxide gas that adheres to it. When the spaghetti reaches the surface, the gas is released, and the spaghetti sinks again.

Did you know you can make spaghetti dance? With a few simple materials, you can make it happen! Mix baking soda and vinegar with water and spaghetti, and watch the spaghetti rise to the surface, then back down, again and again!

Dancing Spaghetti

Spaghetti is denser than water and, therefore, sinks when placed in water. When
spaghetti is placed in a solution of baking soda and vinegar, the spaghetti
rises to the surface due to the carbon dioxide gas that adheres to it. When the
spaghetti reaches the surface, the gas is released, and the spaghetti sinks
again.

Materials:

1 1000-mL beaker
1 glass mixing bowl
10 g sodium hydrogen carbonate
3 Tsp baking soda
45 mL 3% acetic acid
4-5 Tbsp vinegar
10 2-cm pieces of vermacelli
water  

Procedure:

 1. Fill a clear container 3/4 full with water. Add the sodium hydrogen
    carbonate (or baking soda) and stir to dissolve.
 2. Break the vermicelli into 2-cm, or 1-inch, pieces and add them to the
    container.
 3. Add the acetic acid (vinegar). If the vermicelli does not begin to "dance"
    after a few minutes, add more sodium hydrogen carbonate and acetic acid.
 4. If possible, substitute raisins for the vermicelli.

Results and Conclusions:

1. Vinegar (HC2H3O2) is a 5% solution of acetic acid. It reacts with baking
soda, sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3), to produce a carbon dioxide gas (CO2)
and sodium acetate (NaC2H3O2). The reaction can be written as follows:

NaHCO3 (aq) + HC2H3O2 (aq) ------> CO2 (g) + H2O (l) + NaC2H3O2 (aq)

Bubbles of carbon dioxide gas adhere to the surface of the spaghetti. The result
is that the sum of the density of the spaghetti and the gas is less than that of
the water solution. Thus, the pieces rise to the surface. Many of the bubbles
are released at the surface, and the density of the spaghetti becomes again
greater than that of the solution. Thus, the spaghetti sinks. Children’s
"water-wings" operate on the same principle by adding to the volume of the child
without increasing the mass considerably.

2. The amounts of baking soda and vinegar are approximate and depend on the size
of the container used. If a larger container is used, increase the amount of
baking soda and vinegar appropriately.

Extensions:

1. Raisins can be used in addition to, or in place of, the spaghetti. 

2. Add a drop of food coloring to your water to enhance "dance" movement.

Dancing Spaghetti

Swimming spaghetti

Why does the spaghetti sink and rise again? Any ideas?

Try this variation of the experiment using an Alka-Seltzer tablet! Also, it's so fun to see that just pounding the table once will make all the spaghetti noodles that are on the top drop to the bottom all together!

<h1><strong>1000 Science Fair Project Ideas by Subject</strong></h1><p>Looking for a science fair project idea? Each of our science fair project idea has complete instructions with video. Get ideas for your science projects, find extra resources for your class' scientific projects, or try a fun experiment at home! It doesn't matter what grade you're in, there's something for everyone!</p><p>You can find your perfect science fair project from the different science subjects below or from our <a href="https://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/category0.html#bottom">science fair project idea lists!</a></p>

<h2>Science Fair Project Idea Lists</h2><p>Looking for other ways to find good ideas for science fair projects? Check out these lists of science projects!</p><hr style="clear:both; border-style:dotted" data-marker="clearFloat"><h3>Easy Science Fair Projects</h3><p><img src="/images2/flex/176_popular 2 (2).png" data-size="100" data-float="left" style="width:100px; float:left">Explore the exciting world of science with an easy science fair project that you can do at home using simple materials. Any one of these easy project ideas will teach you important scientific concepts and help you have fun while learning. An easy science fair project is a great way to introduce the wonders of science to kids and adults alike!</p><hr style="clear:both; border-style:dotted" data-marker="clearFloat"><ul><li><p>Changing the Color of Flowers</p></li><li><p>Baking Soda Volcano</p></li><li><p>Swimming Raisins</p></li><li><p>Egg in Vinegar</p></li><li><p>Color of Skittles Experiment</p></li><li><p>Jumping Rice Krispies</p></li><li><p>Mixing Colors of Light</p></li><li><p>Camouflage and Hide</p></li><li><p>Light and Dark on Seed Germination</p></li><li><p>Make a Parachute</p></li></ul><p>More science project details at <a href="https://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/science_fair_project_list/12">Easy Science Fair Projects <strong>→</strong></a></p><hr style="clear:both; border-style:dotted" data-marker="clearFloat"><hr style="clear:both; border-style:dotted" data-marker="clearFloat"><h3>The Top 10 Best Science Fair Projects</h3><p><img src="/images2/flex/177_popular 2 (3).png" data-size="100" data-float="left" style="width:100px; float:left">To find the best science fair project for you, we've picked the best science projects from 10 different science categories, all with very interesting topics. 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These experiments are fast and easy to do, but the science topic packs a punch!</p><hr style="clear:both; border-style:dotted" data-marker="clearFloat"><h4>Acid-base reactions: Mixing acids with bases quickly makes carbon dioxide gas!</h4><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/project830.html"><strong>Rocket Film Canisters (easy) </strong></a>Make a rocket fly sky high with just baking soda and vinegar!</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/project829.html"><strong>Make Your Own PH Indicator (medium) </strong></a>Learn how to make your own acid-base indicator using red cabbage and use it to test different fluids!</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/project1327.html"><strong>Testing Antacids (hard) </strong></a>Find out which antacid can neutralize the most acid and get relief from heartburn and gastritis!</p></li></ul><h4>Chromatography reactions: Separating out colors as liquid moves through the paper!</h4><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/project826.html"><strong>Colors of Skittles Experiment (easy) </strong></a>Did you know that some Skittles have a secret rainbow hiding inside them?</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/project678.html"><strong>Uncovering Fall Colors (medium) </strong></a>Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in the fall? 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We'll help you find a science fair project idea and guide you through the process of doing and presenting your science fair project with <a href="https://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/science_fair_projects_coach/science-project-coach.html">Science Fair Coach's Science Fair Project Guide</a>.</p><hr style="clear:both; border-style:dotted" data-marker="clearFloat"><h3>What should I do after I have a science fair project idea?</h3><p><img src="/images2/flex/143_intro science fair.png" data-size="100" data-float="left" style="width:100px; float:left">If you have a science fair project idea, Science Fair Coach can help you turn it into a full science fair project! 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Chemistry is the study of matter, which is everything around us! Chemists learn about what things are made of, how they react with each other, and how we can use them to improve our lives, such as in food science, technology and reducing environmental pollution.

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