exothermic reaction experiments at home

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Exothermic Reaction Examples - Demonstrations to Try

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 An  exothermic reaction  is a chemical reaction that releases heat and has a negative enthalpy (-ΔH) and positive entropy (+ΔS).. These reactions are energetically favorable and often occur spontaneously, but sometimes you need a little extra energy to get them started.

Exothermic reactions make interesting and exciting chemistry demonstrations because the release of energy often includes sparks, flame, smoke, or sounds, in addition to heat. The reactions range from safe and gentle to dramatic and explosive.

Steel Wool and Vinegar Exothermic Reaction

JMacPherson / Getty Images

The rusting of iron or steel is an oxidation reaction -- really just a slower form of combustion . While waiting around for rust to form wouldn't make for an interesting chemistry demonstration, there are ways to speed up the process. For example. you can react steel wool with vinegar in a safe exothermic reaction that evolves heat.

Barking Dog Exothermic Reaction

 Thomas Northcut / Getty Images

The "barking dog" reaction is a favorite exothermic chemistry demonstration because it emits a loud 'woof' or 'bark', similar to that of a dog. You need a long glass tube, nitrous oxide or nitric oxide, and carbon disulfide for this reaction.

If you don't have these chemicals, there is an alternative reaction you can do using a bottle and rubbing alcohol. It's not quite as loud or energetic, but it does produce a nice flame and an audible 'woofing' sound.

• How to do the Classic Barking Dog Reaction
• Alternative Barking Dog Reaction

Safe Laundry Detergent Exothermic Reaction

Glow Images, Inc.,/ Getty Images

Probably the simplest and easiest exothermic reaction is one you can try right at home. Simply dissolve powdered laundry detergent in your hand with a small amount of water. Feel the heat?

About the Laundry Detergent Exothermic Reaction

Elephant Toothpaste Exothermic Reaction

Jasper White / Getty Images

No list of exothermic reactions would be complete without the popular elephant toothpaste reaction. The heat of this chemical reaction is accompanied by a fountain of foam.

The classic form of the demonstration uses a hydrogen peroxide solution, potassium iodide, and detergent. There is also a kid-friendly version of the reaction that uses yeast and household peroxide and is safe enough for young hands to touch.

• Try the Elephant Toothpaste Reaction
• Try the Kid-Friendly Elephant Toothpaste Project

Sulfuric Acid and Sugar Exothermic Reaction

Uwe Hermann / Getty Images

Reacting sulfuric acid with ordinary table sugar (sucrose) results in an energetic exothermic reaction. Dehydrating the sugar pushes out a steaming column of carbon black, plus it makes the entire room smell like burnt marshmallows.

How to do the Sulfuric Acid and Sugar Reaction

Thermite Exothermic Reaction

Andy Crawford & Tim Ridley / Getty Images

The thermite reaction is much like rusting steel wool with vinegar, except the oxidation of metal occurs much more vigorously. Try the thermite reaction is you want burning metal and a lot of heat.

If you believe "go big or go home," then try performing the thermite reaction inside a block of dry ice. This amplifies the process and may even produce an explosion.

• Steps to perform the  Thermite Reaction (Safely)
• How to make Etch a Sketch Thermite

Sodium or Other Alkali Metal in Water

Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images

If burning metals is your cup of tea, you can't go wrong with simply dropping any alkali metal in water (unless you add too much). Lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium all react in water. As you move down the group in the periodic table, the energy of the reaction increases.

Lithium and sodium are fairly safe to work with. Use caution if you try the project with potassium. It's probably best to leave the exothermic reaction of rubidium or cesium in water to people who want to get famous on YouTube. If that's you, send us a link and we'll show off your risky behavior.

try the Sodium in Water Reaction (Safely)

Starting Fires Without Matches

 Lumina Imaging, Getty Images

Some exothermic chemical reactions spontaneously burst into flame without needing the help of a lit match. There are several ways to make a chemical fire -- all terrific demonstrations of exothermic processes.

How to make Chemical Fire Without Matches

Making Hot Ice Is an Exothermic Reaction

 Epop, public domain

Hot ice is what you get when you solidify sodium acetate from a supercooled solution. The resulting crystals resemble water ice, except they are hot instead of cold. It's a fun example of an exothermic reaction. It's also one of the common reactions used to make chemical hand warmers .

While you can buy sodium acetate, it's also extremely easy to make this chemical yourself by mixing baking soda and vinegar and boiling off the excess liquid.

How to make Hot Ice

More Exothermic Reactions To Try

Roz Woodward, Getty Images 

Many chemical reactions release heat, so these popular exothermic reactions are not your only options. Here are some other cool demonstrations to try:

• How to make Vesuvius Fire
• How to make a Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano (yes, it's exothermic)
• Magic Genie in a Bottle Chemistry Demonstration
• Instant Fire Demonstration
• How to make Dancing Gummi Bears
• How to make Dancing Charcoal
• How to make Test Tube Thunderstorm
• Exergonic vs Endergonic Reactions and Processes
• What Is Fire Made Of?
• Examples of Chemical Energy
• Examples of Endothermic Reactions
• The Laws of Thermochemistry
• Why Is Fire Hot? How Hot Is Fire?
• Nuclear Fission Versus Nuclear Fusion
• The Chemistry Behind Sparklers
• The Discarded Phlogiston Theory in Early Chemistry History
• Colored Smoke Recipes
• Nuclear Fission Definition and Examples
• Electrochemical Cells
• Electrochemistry Calculations Using the Nernst Equation
• Standard Molar Entropy Definition in Chemistry
• The Science Behind Firecrackers and Sparklers
• Corium and Radioactivity After the Chernobyl Nuclear Meltdown

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Easy Exothermic and Endothermic Chemical Reactions for Kids

Usually on Wednesdays we feature Bug of the Week, so today’s chemistry lesson is inspired by insects.

Dr. Thomas Eisner was a very curious man. He was particularly curious about insects, like the beetle shown in this video (has pop-up ad).

When he discovered these particular beetles, Dr. Eisner began to experiment with them because he wanted to know what and how they were squirting. One of the unexpected things he found out was that the temperature of the spray the beetle released was very hot, nearly 100° C. How could that be?

Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions

Sometimes chemical reactions between two or more substances give off or take in energy, often in the form of heat. In exothermic reactions, heat energy is given off during the reaction and the temperature increases. In endothermic reactions heat energy is removed by the reaction (“taken in”) and the temperature of the reactants decreases.

Below are two chemical reactions that use household products. Find out whether they are exothermic or endothermic.

Notes:  These activities are messy fun, so perform them in a sink, tub, or outdoors in an area where wet spills are not a problem. Also, scientists never eat or drink their experiments!

Reaction 1.

• About 26 g lemonade drink mix* (make sure the primary ingredient is citric acid)
• Baking soda
• Liquid measuring cup
• 1/4 cup dry measuring cup
• Water (room temperature)
• Large Styrofoam cup (to help insulate the reaction)
• Container (glass or cup) to mix the drink mix and water in
• Thermometer or temperature probe

* Math alert:  Originally I used Crystal Light pink lemonade mix, which came in 3.68 g packets (see the serving size information for the number of grams per packet). I used 7 packets for about 28 g. Then I switched to an off brand, and the packets were 2.6 g each (10 packets for 26 g). It worked just as well. Also, check the amount of vitamin C information on the labels. The raspberry-flavored lemonade mix contained significantly more citric acid for some reason.

Procedure 1:

• Measure 100 mL (approx. 1/3 cup) of room temperature water and pour into in a container.
• Add 26 g of drink mix into the water in the container. Stir until completely dissolved.
• Use the thermometer or probe to measure the temperature of the solution, taking care not to rest the thermometer or probe on the bottom or side of the cup.
• Measure 1/4 cup baking soda into the Styrofoam cup.
• In a sink or similar area, quickly add the drink mix solution to the baking soda in the Styrofoam cup.
• As the reaction starts to slow, take the temperature again. (You may want to let the children touch the solution and compare to the room temperature water. They will need to wash their hands afterwards.)

Did the temperature of the contents of the Styrofoam cup  go up or down?

Reaction 2:

• 2 teaspoons active yeast
• Measuring teaspoon
• Water at room temperature
• Cup or similar container for mixing yeast
• Large Styrofoam cup
• Hydrogen peroxide (be sure to use 3 %, the kind sold for home use) – held at room temperature

Procedure 2.

• Measure 100 mL of room temperature water (approx. 1/3 cup) and pour into the yeast-mix container.
• Mix the 2 teaspoons dry yeast into the water. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
• Take the temperature of the solution, taking care not to rest the thermometer on the bottom or side of the cup.
• Add 100 mL (about 1/3 cup) 3% hydrogen peroxide to the Styrofoam cup.
• Take the temperature of the hydrogen peroxide, taking care not to rest the thermometer on the bottom or side of the cup. The two solutions should be roughly the same temperature.
• In a sink or similar area, add the yeast solution to the hydrogen peroxide in the Styrofoam cup.

Did the temperature go down or up?

Which reaction was endothermic? Which reaction was exothermic? Let us know what you find out.

_____________________________

If you are interested in learning more about the beetles, read the first chapter in:

______________________________________________________________________

For more chemistry activities, check the Table of Contents for Chemistry Week page.

Bug of the Week , Chemistry , Fun Science Activity , Science Books

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14 Comments

January 4, 2016 at 4:49 pm

We did this in my homeroom, and the kids were in aw that exothermic and endothermic reaction could be that much fun! Huge help in my homeroom please do more exothermic and endothermic reactions.

Homeroom 174 🙂

January 5, 2016 at 12:44 pm

Thanks for letting me know. I’ll add a link here when I post more.

September 19, 2016 at 8:55 pm

Baking soda and vinegar reaction is exothermic

October 23, 2016 at 6:25 am

interesting and exciting and very, very helpful for teachers and mothers- I should say! Thankyou!susan

April 10, 2017 at 8:16 pm

baking soad and vinegar are actualy endothermic

April 11, 2017 at 12:16 pm

Did you try it? What were your results?

May 12, 2017 at 7:53 am

Thanx for the help with my homework

September 22, 2017 at 10:25 am

What grade did you try this with? I teach middle school. Thanks.

September 22, 2017 at 11:10 am

I’ve done it with a range of ages, including high school. Obviously the high school students were held to a higher level of understanding of the processes, with more experimentation, data collection, graphing, etc.

November 17, 2017 at 12:04 pm

Can you share your results with us?

November 26, 2017 at 8:38 pm

Sorry, it has been a few days since I checked the comments. The acid plus baking soda is the endothermic reaction. Did you need more than that?

November 28, 2018 at 10:40 am

Which one was Endothermic? We need an endothermic reaction and thought this was cool. Please let me know.

November 28, 2018 at 11:06 am

I guess it won’t hurt to reveal it now. The baking soda and citric acid -Reaction 1– is the “cool” reaction. It is endothermic.

November 28, 2018 at 11:23 am

Thank you so much!

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Exothermic and endothermic reactions

The resources in this list provide several memorable and often spectacular demonstrations which illustrate both exothermic and endothermic reactions, together with suggested investigations for students to carry out themselves.

The resources will help deliver the following topics:

• energy changes on changes of state (qualitative)
• exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions (qualitative)

Visit the secondary science webpage to access all lists: www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/secondaryscience

Whilst this list provides a source of information and ideas for experimental work, it is important to note that recommendations can date very quickly. Do NOT follow suggestions which conflict with current advice from CLEAPSS, SSERC or recent safety guides. eLibrary users are responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is consistent with current regulations related to health and safety and that they carry an appropriate risk assessment. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.

Banging Chemistry: Fast and Furious *suitable for home teaching*

Quality Assured Category: Science Publisher: Teachers TV

A series of nine quick-fire exothermic and endothermic reactions, to help inspire science students. They can be used to help students in understanding rates of reaction and energy changes. Each example includes helpful tips on how to carry out the demonstrations safely and successfully in the classroom.

Frothy Foam

Quality Assured Category: Science Publisher: whynotchemeng

In this dramatic demonstration, potassium iodide catalyses the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and water. This is an exothermic reaction and water is produced as steam. Food colouring and washing up liquid mixed in with the hydrogen peroxide create coloured fountains of oxygen bubbles during the reaction. A glowing splint can be made to relight in the bubbles, showing that oxygen is present. The resource contains a video and teacher and technician notes.

Sodium Ethanoate Stalagmite

Quality Assured Category: Chemistry Publisher: Teachers TV

This is a short video showing the instant crystallisation of sodium ethanoate - more commonly known as dry ice.

Hand warmers

A really good unit of work looking at the chemistry of hand warmers. Initially students compare reusable and disposable hand warmers before making their own using sodium ethanoate (sodium acetate). The resource contains a pupil book and teacher notes. 

Frozen Assets

Quality Assured Category: Science Publisher: Centre for Industry Education Collaboration (CIEC)

Some good activities around freezing/melting and heat changes around ice.

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Easy Exothermic Detergent Reaction

Interesting chemical reactions don’t necessarily require a chemistry lab and expensive glassware. For example, you can experience an exothermic chemical reaction using nothing more complicated than a handful of laundry detergent powder and a bit of water.

An exothermic reaction is one which produces heat as chemical bond energy is converted into thermal energy. Experience the phenomenon the next time you are washing clothes. Grab a handful of powered or solid detergent and let a little water dampen it before adding it to the washer. You’ll feel the heat using dry dishwashing detergent, too. Be sure to rinse your hands well afterward.

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• How do exothermic reactions work? Try this experiment to understand  

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“Exothermic processes” experiment

How to boil a liquid boil by mixing substances

In this ex­per­i­ment, you’ll find out about pro­cess­es that take place with the re­lease of heat. These pro­cess­es sur­round us ev­ery­where, from cook­ing food to heat­ing the home. You’ll learn what these pro­cess­es are from our video!

Safe­ty pre­cau­tions

• Wear pro­tec­tive gloves, a mask and glass­es.
• Ob­serve safe­ty rules when work­ing with con­cen­trat­ed acids.
• When pre­par­ing so­lu­tions of acids, acid must be added to wa­ter, not wa­ter to acid.

Warn­ing! Don’t try to re­peat this ex­per­i­ment with­out a pro­fes­sion­al su­per­vi­sion!

Reagents and equip­ment:

• ace­tone (5 ml);
• wa­ter (70 ml);
• con­cen­trat­ed sul­fu­ric acid (50 ml);

Step-by-step in­struc­tions

Low­er a test tube filled with ace­tone into the beaker. Then pour in wa­ter, then acid. Ob­serve the ace­tone boil. Ig­nite the va­pors that form.

Dozens of experiments you can do at home

One of the most exciting and ambitious home-chemistry educational projects The Royal Society of Chemistry

• Middle School Science

Chemical Reaction Lab & Exothermic Reactions for Middle School Science

Your middle school science class is sure to love this engaging Exothermic Chemical Reaction Lab!

Students will see both a color change and an exothermic reaction with lots of bubbles and gas in this chemical reaction!

This is an easy-to-do science lab with clear directions and follow-up pages to reinforce ideas about chemical reactions, exothermic, acids and bases, and neutralization. Students will love this lab!

Materials Needed for this Exothermic Chemical Reaction:

• Calcium chloride
• Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking soda)
• Cabbage water
• Safety goggles

This unit contains more than just one Exothermic Chemical Reaction Lab experiment!

This chemical reaction lab includes:

• Lab directions
• Safety Information
• A reading page on Chemical vs Physical Changes
• Follow-up Pages
• Teacher Background Information
• CER (Claim Evidence Reasoning)
• Answer Keys

Other science teachers LOVE this Exothermic Chemical Reaction unit!

Check out the many perfect reviews on Teachers Pay Teachers .

My students just love the labs you put together. This one was great. Lots of bubbling and a temperature change. Really fun. Izzy S. 10/23/22

This is a standards-based unit helping you cover NGSS MS-PS1-2.

NGSSMS-PS1-2: Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred. Examples of reactions could include burning sugar or steel wool, fat reacting with sodium hydroxide, and mixing zinc with hydrogen chloride. Assessment is limited to analysis of the following properties: density, melting point, boiling point, solubility, flammability, and odor.

Try this unit in your middle school science classroom TODAY:

This unit is available for download in two places:.

• Here on teachingscience.us
• Teaching Science With Lynda R Williams

Both downloads are identical in every way – if you download directly from this site, you’re giving me the maximum amount of support!

Either way, your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.

This site uses 100% secure checkout with PayPal, and after checkout, your download is instantly available.

Thank you, and I hope you enjoy using this unit in your classroom!

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