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How to Build a Volcano That Erupts When It Is Plugged Into a Battery

A typical model volcano for children uses a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. This produces a fizzy liquid flow that is similar to a mild volcano. Using more volatile materials, an igniter and a battery can produce a much more realistic model volcano. The materials can be dangerous if they are mishandled, so this project should only be done by a responsible adult in an open outdoor area away from flammable materials. A breathing mask and gloves should be worn at all times.

Things You'll Need

Safety glasses
Work gloves
Breathing mask
Clay
2 empty soup cans
Plywood, 2-foot-square
Rocket igniter
Saltpeter
Sugar
Small wooden stick
9-volt battery
30 feet of speaker wire
Fire extinguisher

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the plywood flat and place the empty soup can in the center of it, with the open end facing upward.
- 2
  Mold the clay around the can to create a volcano. Leave the top of the can and the volcano open. Allow several hours for the clay to harden.
- 3
  Put on your work gloves, safety glasses and breathing mask. Pour sugar into the second empty can until it fills about 20 percent of the can. Pour the saltpeter into the can until the can is about half full. Carefully stir the mixture with the small stick.
- 4
  Attach one end of the speaker wire to two alligator clips and attach the alligator clips to the terminals on the igniter. Place the igniter into the volcano and run the rest of the wire up out of the volcano.
- 5
  Carefully pour the mixture of saltpeter and sugar into the volcano so that it covers the igniter.
- 6
  Place the volcano in an outdoor location away from any flammable materials and people and run the wire to a location at least 25 feet away. Place the fire extinguisher nearby in case of fire.
- 7
  Stand at least 25 feet away from the volcano and press the other end of the speaker wire to the 9-volt battery terminals, one tip to each terminal. The volcano will erupt.
- 8
  Wait at least 20 minutes before approaching the volcano to ensure that all flammable materials have burned and that the volcano has cooled. Handle the volcano with work gloves.

Nature