Snowstorm in a Jar Experiment

Living in Canada we see a LOT of snow, so it only makes sense that we want to embrace what we know and bring that into our lessons. Today we are going to create a mini snowstorm in a jar. This chemistry experiment is very quick and simple to do and uses common household ingredients. It is perfect for an indoor lesson in chemistry or as part of a weather unit study.

Snow in a Jar – Easy Chemistry

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This chemistry experiment is so easy to do. It uses simple supplies, clean up is easy-peasy, and best of all, kids are mesmerized by their little snow storms!

What You Need

• A clear glass jar (a smooth sided mason jar or glass works great)
• Baby oil
• White acrylic paint or other water-based paint
• Water
• Alka-Seltzer tablets
• Small cup and spoon

Video Tutorial

If you prefer, you can watch the video tutorial of this quick and easy experiment. If you can’t see the video, it is being blocked by adblockers or a firewall. You can also find it on the STEAM Powered Family YouTube Channel.

Instructions

Set out your supplies. If you think your kids may get a bit messy, you can cover the area with a cloth. I just kept some paper towels close by to clean up any drips right away. But it really was not a messy experiment at all.

In a cup mix a few tablespoons of water with a squirt of white acrylic paint. Stir with a spoon. This mixture will create the “snow” in your snowstorm.

Next, take the jar and pour the paint and water mixture into the bottom. We tried different orders for adding the liquids to the jar and we discovered that we got a cleaner snowstorm by adding the water mix first, then the oil.

Now, fill the jar about three-quarters full with baby oil. This oil represents the “atmosphere” of your storm. You don’t want to over fill the jar, as the reaction will bubble and take up space and you don’t want your snowstorm going all over the table!

You should notice that the water stays in a nice layer below the oil. Give the jar a gentle swirl and you will see that the baby oil floats on top of the water mix. This is because water is denser than oil.

Time to unleash the snowstorm! Break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into a few small pieces (approximately quarters is good, you don’t need to be exact) and drop one into the jar. Wait a few seconds then your snowstorm will start!

As the Alka-Seltzer tablet dissolves in the bottom water and paint layer, it creates carbon dioxide gas. These gas bubbles attach to the water droplets mixed with white paint, carrying them up through the oil. Once they reach the surface and the gas escapes into the air, the water droplets fall back down. The result is a beautiful snowstorm in a jar created by chemistry!

Pro Tips!

We found it best to add the water mix first, then the baby oil on top. As the experiment progresses, you may get some paint building up along the walls of the jar. If you do the water mix first, we found it took longer for this build up to start.

To remove the build up, simply wipe it with your finger after the reaction finishes and before you add more Alka Seltzer. If you use a smooth sided jar or glass or cup, it does help. If there are any ridges or designs in the glass, the paint likes to stick to it right away. So if possible, use a smooth sided jar.

The chemical reaction will last about 30 to 60 seconds before it peters out. To start it again, simply add another piece of Alka Seltzer. I recommend using about a 1/4 of a tablet each time. If you add a full tablet, depending on the size of your jar and how full it is, it may overflow from the reaction.

Don’t have Alka Seltzer? You can use a combination of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Or check this activity for more fun ideas.

Spice up your snowstorm by adding bits of glitter or even trying a silver or glow in the dark paint.

The Science Behind It

Now if you are looking at this experiment and thinking it seems REALLY familiar… well guess what? You are right! This experiment is a wintery twist on the very popular Homemade Lava Lamp experiment. The scientific principles are the same. Just instead of using water-based food coloring like we did with the lava lamps, we are using water-based (acrylic) paint!

Just like the lava lamp, the snowstorm in a jar experiment is a beautiful illustration of several scientific concepts:

Density and Immiscibility

Oil and water do not mix; they are what we call immiscible. Which is just a fancy way of saying that they can’t be mixed. This is due to the water’s polarity and the oil’s nonpolarity. Additionally, water is denser than oil, which is why it sinks to the bottom of the jar, and the oil floats on top.

Chemical Reactions

The Alka-Seltzer tablet reacts with the water to form carbon dioxide gas. This is a classic example of an acid-base reaction, where the citric acid and sodium bicarbonate in Alka-Seltzer react in water. Which also means, that you can use a combination of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), instead of Alka Seltzer if you happen to have some. Perhaps you have some left over from making bath bombs!

Principles of Buoyancy

The carbon dioxide bubbles that form during the chemical reaction act as carriers for the water droplets. Due to a scientific process known as buoyancy this causes them to rise through the less dense oil. Once the gas escapes at the surface (which we see from those busy popping bubbles), the water loses its lift and sinks back down. Where it looks like snow falling in a real winter storm.

This experiment not only provides a mesmerizing visual spectacle but also teaches fundamental scientific principles in a hands-on way that is fun for learners of all ages. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just love to play with science, creating a snowstorm in a jar is a fantastic way to explore and learn.

Enjoy playing and learning with chemistry!