Wiggling gummy worms are super delightful for little inquiring minds.
*This activity requires adult supervision!
What You’ll Need
Directions
- Cut gummy worms into two strips lengthwise
- Fill clear glass with 1 cup warm water and 2 Tbsp. baking soda and stir.
- Add gummy worm strips and soak for 15 minutes.
- In the meantime, fill second glass with vinegar.
- After 15 minutes, scoop gummy worms out of glass with baking soda and transfer to the glass with vinegar.
- Watch your gummies wiggle.
What’s happening to my gummies?
Acetic acid in vinegar plus bicarbonate in baking soda equals carbon dioxide gas bubbles. Acid + Base = Bubbly reaction. The baking soda absorbing into the gummy worms makes bubbles when transferred to the vinegar. Bubbles rise to the top, taking your gummy worm with them giving the appearance of wiggly worms.
Try different gummy worm lengths and sizes to see which ones wiggle the most, which ones wiggles the least, and which ones don’t wiggle at all. Take notes in a notebook and draw some pictures. Measure with a ruler for exact measurements.
What other gummies wiggle? Gummy bears, gummy spiders, gummy insects?
