Get a free trial until June 30, 2026!
New members get full access to our science units, hands-on activities, mini-lessons, & more!

New members get a full, free trial through June 2026!
Back > Share
Why do some things explode?
Matter & Mixtures Unit | Lesson 5 of 5
Back > Share

Why do some things explode?

Matter & Mixtures Unit | Lesson 5 of 5
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
Video trouble?

DISCUSS:

What makes these things explode? What’s going on?

Video trouble?

DISCUSS:

Why do you think the containers were shattering?

Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?

DISCUSS:

On the back of your worksheet, draw a picture using a particle model to explain why the bag exploded. (Or you can label or add to the picture you drew earlier.)

Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Slide Image

explosion


1 of 11

when something bursts outwards
Video trouble?
Slide Image

substance


2 of 11

a material that has specific properties

chemical reaction


3 of 11

a process where one or more substances form a new substance
Video trouble?

states of matter


4 of 11

the different forms of matter that include solid, liquid, and gas
Video trouble?

liquid


5 of 11

a state of matter, such as water when you can pour it
Video trouble?

gas


6 of 11

a state of matter, such as water when it is steam
Video trouble?

carbon dioxide


7 of 11

a type of gas that plants sometimes take in and that animals release when they breathe
Video trouble?

oxygen


8 of 11

a type of gas that animals use to breathe and that plants release
Video trouble?

particle


9 of 11

a very tiny thing, sometimes too small to be seen
Video trouble?

experiment


10 of 11

a test used to discover new information about a question
Video trouble?

model


11 of 11

a pretend version of something that scientists use when the real thing is too big, small, or complicated to work with
Video trouble?
🎉 That’s it for this lesson! How did it go?
Sign up now for more great lessons!
Sign up

Featured Reviews

“The kids loved the explosion and excitement of this lesson. Very easy, minimal mess, and very fun! ”
· Carly · Teacher
“This was a great twist on a known chemical reaction. The kids had to use what they know to adjust the reaction to act in a controlled manner. The videos were quick and useful to streamline the learning and the experiment! Awesome!”
· Stacy · Teacher
“The kids did this on their own with me only walking around and observing. They did great and I LOVED the scientific talk I heard as I observed!”
· Kimberly · Teacher
“The students loved the bags popping! This was a great visual for this lesson and easy assembly for multiple classes.”
· Sandra · Teacher
“The students were so engaged and really paying attention. When I was evaluated - the students were using correct scientific terms and could explain what was happening to the principal. It was by far their favorite lesson! I just love how mystery science is engaging and goes right along with our curriculum!”
· Kelli · Teacher
“My students LOVED this Mystery! This lesson was so engaging and insightful. When their bags exploded, they got so excited and wanted to know more and do more. Absolutely love Mystery Science!!”
· Reina · Teacher
“Great investigation, with a direct link to NGSS performance expectation around creating a particle model to show the results of a chemical reaction. ”
· Andrea · Teacher
“I was worried about the explosions making a dreadful mess, but it was actually very easy to clean up! Kids LOVED it!”
· Tessa · Teacher
“Student's were engaged each minute! They were able to associate events in their lives at home directly to the lesson. They are also beginning to grasp a deeper understanding of the scientific process and are able to construct new questions, experiments and conclusions based on prior knowledge of previous lessons taught.”
· Jackie · Teacher
“The best part were the step by step directions. The students enjoyed the experiment and had a lot of fun with it. ”
· Edjola · Teacher
“The intro to the activity was perfect for engaging students and getting them interested. Also, it was fairly easy to set up and clean up. ”
· · Teacher
“Boom! Pop! 5th Graders loved this Mystery Science Activity and it was easy to set up. Testing twice was essential to scientific thinking, students planned and got to do it again!”
· Nicole · Teacher
“Having the videos support and inspire the learning. Also, the step by step instructions which made it so easy for myself and students”
· Fiona · Teacher
“I love that there were step by step directions to do the experiment! Very well put together. Thank you.”
· Kimberly · Teacher
“The student's reactions were priceless. This was our last Mystery Science for the year and it was definitely a favorite. ”
· Ofelia · Teacher
“The students loved this activity and learned a lot about how chemicals react when combined. ”
· · Teacher
“This was their favorite experiment so far!”
· Sondra · Teacher
“I think this was one of my students' favorite mysteries so far. They absolutely loved the challenge if making the bag burst or almost burst. I am so happy you guys added this Mystery! Thank you!”
· · Teacher
“Watching the reactions of students as they watched the baking soda and vinegar react. Using the plastic baggie allowed the students to observe what was happening and then be able to state their observations more clearly.”
· Rita · Teacher
“Despite being pretty sure what would happen, the gasps and squeals were a delight. ”
· Nate · Teacher
“The excitement! The students kept trying different things to see whose would explode first, the loudest, etc. Great lesson and they learned a lot!”
· Deborah · Teacher
“We loved doing this activity. We also got to end our explosion unit by watching the SpaceX rocket launch!”
· Kathy · Teacher
“Students excitement was memorable; they were able to make connections to the assignments we have been completing in class. ”
· Daniela · Teacher
“The kids loved the experiment. We even took it a step further and used a water bottle instead of a plastic bag. ”
· Cassie · Teacher
“We had an explosion of excitement in the room! The students were able to discuss the reasons why the bags should explode, although on the first try, none did. They really enjoyed being able to evaluate, make changes to reach their goal of exploding bags, and retest...100% success rate of exploding bags!! ”
· Brenna · Teacher
“The easy to use setup and recording sheet was perfect for showing the power of gaseous matter! I love it's simple effectiveness!”
· Stephanie · Teacher
“The best part was when the students turned the bags over and saw the bags expand. I have never seen my students so excited.”
· Josephine · Teacher
“The kids loved trying to change things to get the opposite effect of what happened. And of course, loved the explosions! ”
· Cathy · Teacher
“The kids loved getting to modify their experiment and get a second chance!”
· Amy · Teacher
“Perfect Lesson”
· Roklyn · Teacher
“My class was so engaged in the activity! Every single one of their bags popped (which I was not expecting!) and their reactions were hilariously priceless! What I loved the most is how they were able to apply all the information we have been learning about phases of matter. The gained so much knowledge by doing this and they didn't even realize it! ”
· Lena · Teacher
“The kids loved the popping bags! They were screaming "this is awesome!" ”
· Karen · Teacher
“the students loved the stretchy bags. ”
· Wanda · Teacher
“Explosions worked as a great engagement tool, just enough chaos, but well contained! ”
· Krista · Teacher
“What a wonderful finale lesson! My children thought that they knew all about the result of baking soda/vinegar but were surprised when some of the sealed bags popped! Many partners asked for more than the second try to get the desired result of attempting to get a different result. I am, as always so grateful for this wonderful resource. Mystery Science makes every lesson one that the children (and the teacher) are learning while having fun. ”
· Bridget · Teacher
“The exploding baggie was a big hit and the kids really understood it was the gas trying to escape The extra on bread was a big hit too!”
· Teresa · Teacher
“The kids loved watching the ziploc bags expand and explode! The model (of what happened in the experiment) helped them to visualize what happened”
· Tiffany · Teacher
“The best part of mystery 5 was Experiment 2. Many of the bags did not burst the first time (b/c they followed the mixing ratio correctly) so the students were super excited to not only pop their bags but also to see who could get the most dramatic pop. ”
· · Teacher
“The kids loved this experiment! We had a lot of screams from excitement!”
· Carmen · Teacher
“Kids were so excited when the baggie popped. They really understood the lesson.”
· Jennifer · Teacher
“I have never seen kids so excited in my life. Great lab!”
· Stephanie · Teacher
“My students loved this mystery! It was one of their favorites that we have done. ”
· Nicole · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Grade 5

Matter & Mixtures

Gases & Particle Models

5-PS1-1

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students investigate and model how gases cause explosions. In the activity, Bag of Bubbles, students experiment by combining baking soda and vinegar inside a sealed bag and observe how the gas bubbles produced cause the bag to inflate–and sometimes pop!
Preview activity
I don't have a Mystery Pack
In your Mystery Pack Lesson Bag
Capturing Chaos printout 1 per student
Stretchy Bag Templates printout 1 per group
Cups (Dixie 3 oz) 1 cup per student
Plastic Plates (10") 1 plate per pair
Ziploc Bags (Snack Size) 1 bag per student
In your Mystery Pack Shared Supplies
Baking Soda 4 tablespoons per pair
Measuring Cup 1 cup per class
Plastic Spoons 2 spoons per pair
Solo Cups (9 oz) 2 cups per group
White Vinegar 1 cup per 8 students
Not included in your Mystery Pack
Capturing Chaos printout 1 per student
Stretchy Bag Templates printout 1 per group
Clean-up Supplies (Eg. Paper Towels) 1 roll per class
Safety Glasses 1 pair per student
Scissors 1 pair per student
Prep Instructions

We strongly recommend that students wear eye protection for this activity.

We suggest students work in pairs for the first activity, and in groups of four for the second activity. Students working alone will need a partner for the first activity, and a few friends to help with the second activity.

Prepare the Vinegar and Baking Soda

Separate your plastic cups (or plastic containers) into two separate piles. For each of the cups in one of the piles, pour about ½ cup of vinegar. For the other cups, pour about ½ cup of baking soda into each.

Separate Supplies for Easy Distribution

For the first activity, students will need the following supplies, plus a recommended pair of safety goggles for each person:

Bag of Bubbles Supplies

In the second activity, students will work in groups of four and will need the following materials:

Bag of Bubbles Model Supplies

You may want to separate these for ease of classroom distribution.

Exploration

11 mins

Hands-On Activity

30 mins

Wrap-Up

4 mins

Grade 5

Matter & Mixtures

Gases & Particle Models

5-PS1-1

Slow internet or video problems?
Credits
 
Chemistry Tx Lesson 5: Why do some things explode?

How did the lesson go?
Terrible OK Good Great Terrific!

How can we improve it?

If you'd like our team to reply to you, please Contact Support instead.

Thanks for your feedback! If you have a question or need help, please contact us. Please consider sharing your review:

Sorry the lesson didn’t go well. We read every single review in an effort to improve our Mysteries.

Thanks for letting us know. We’ll wait to ask you for feedback until after you've actually taught it.

Thanks for the feedback! We read every single review in an effort to improve our Mysteries.

Is the video not playing properly?

Please follow these steps:

  1. Very rarely a video will fail to completely load in your browser. Try to reload this page to see if that fixes the problem.
  2. If reloading does not help, try our other video player .
  3. If the video still fails to play, open this video in a new tab and please let us know you’re having trouble. We want to fix this issue for you.

Close

How can we help you?

💡For purchasing info, see our Pricing Page

This episode is locked

This lesson is not included in your limited access.

View pricing

This episode is locked

Your membership is expired. The archive of past Mini Lessons is not included in your limited access.

View pricing