How to Do a Lemon Science Experiment

For kids who love science, you can perform fun and simple science experiments right in your own kitchen using lemons.  Kids will love helping you conduct these experiments, and all you need are a few simple supplies to carry them out.

Items Needed

• Lemon


• Soda bottle


• Baking soda


• Water


• Measuring spoon


• Balloon


• Liquid dish detergent


• Food coloring

Balloon Experiment

1. Remove the cap from an empty soda bottle and discard it.


2. Rinse out the empty soda bottle to prepare it for the science experiment.


3. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a small cup.


4. Remove the seeds from the lemon juice and discard them.


5. Take a balloon and stretch it over the top of the empty soda bottle to make sure it will fit.


6. Pour 1 ounce of water into the soda bottle, and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the water.


7. Stir the water and baking soda mixture with a straw, and pour in the lemon juice immediately after that.


8. Stretch the balloon over the top of the soda bottle, and watch as the balloon inflates.  The balloon filling with air is caused by the sodium bicarbonate from the baking soda and citric acid from the lemon juice reacting to create carbon dioxide.

Lemon Fizz

1. Pour 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a clear glass, and squirt a small amount of liquid dish soap into it.  If you would like to make a certain color of fizz, place a few drops of food coloring into the glass as well.


2. Cut a lemon in half and remove the seeds from the lemon.


3. Hold the lemon half over the glass and squeeze the juice into the mixture of baking soda and liquid dish detergent.


4. Watch as bubbles form and fizz in the glass as a result of the sodium bicarbonate and citric acid reacting to form carbon dioxide while the liquid detergent traps the bubbles in the glass.