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  • Make sure to wear your safety glasses!

This fun chemical reaction experiment explores Newton’s laws through equal and opposite reactions.

Want to duplicate this experiment at home or in your classroom? Watch the video for an overview, gather the materials listed at the right, and follow the instructions below!

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1

Take a balloon and blow it up.

Step 2

Let go of the ballon. Note which way the air goes and which way the balloon goes. This is an equal and opposite reaction.

Step 3

Next we are going to start another experiment. Put on your safety glasses.

Step 4

Fill the small container with water.

Step 5

Put the Alka Seltzer tablet in the container, close the container, and back away! Watch what happens!

Step 6

Repeat the process again. This time with two containers. Fill both containers with equal amounts of water. Drop an alka seltzer tablet in each one, and quickly put the containers together so that the lids are touching. Make sure to do this super fast!