Science Experiment - Invisible Fire Extinguisher

This Friday, our science experiment was the Invisible Fire Extinguisher.  This one was too cool.  First, we started with 2 empty containers and a candle on a wire.  We looked to see that there was nothing inside the 2 containers and Mrs. West showed us that a candle stayed lit when she put it down inside both the containers. 

Then, Mrs. West poured vinegar and a little bit of baking soda into one container.  This created a chemical reaction and we got to watch it make bubbles!

When Mrs. West tried to put the lit candle down in this container, the flame went out! 

We learned that the chemical reaction from the vinegar and baking soda created a gas called carbon dioxide.  Carbon dioxide is heavier than the oxygen we breathe.  Fire also needs oxygen, so that's why the fire went out when we put the candle in the carbon dioxide-filled container.

Mrs. West showed us that you can even pour the carbon dioxide from one container to the other, even without the vinegar and baking soda.

The flame went out again!

Science experiments are so cool!