Do Try This @Home

Materials

vinegar
baking soda
zip-top sandwich or snack bags
measuring cup
measuring spoons
small cup or bowl (to support the bag)
tape
ruler
flat, rigid object, e.g., a book weighing 3-4 lb
secondary container (a pot or storage container with lid, in case the bag leaks or pops)

Sandwich bag dimensions are approximately 6.5 inches by 5.875 inches.

Snack bag dimensions are approximately 6.5 inches by 3.25 inches.

Supplies need to make a model airbag at home. A detail list can be found in the main text above.

The video below depicts a homemade airbag being assembled and deployed.

Demonstration of creating an airbag at home. The airbag requires a sealable sandwich bag, one fourth of a teaspoon of baking soda, a drinking cup for support, one fourth of a cup of vinegar, and some tape. The baking soda is added to the bag. The bag is rolled up and taped over to isolate the baking soda. The bag is placed in a drinking cup to hold it up right while the vinegar is added. After sealing the bag, the tape is removed and the bag is unrolled to allow the baking soda and vinegar to mix. As the two mix, bubbles are generated. The bag is shaken to improve mixing.

Using a secondary container like the one pictured below is a good idea as this will help prevent any issues in case an airbag ruptures.

The video below depicts an airbag rupturing, which is why you should use the secondary container!

A secondary container is used to prevent spills during the airbag reaction. The baking soda and vinegar in a sandwich bag are mixed. As the mixing occurs, the airbag is placed in a secondary container with a lid. The airbag continues to inflate until it ruptures. Any potential spills from the ruptured air bag will be held by the secondary container.

Once your airbag has fully inflated, use your weighted flat objects and ruler to measure the height. The weighted objects should not be too heavy such that the airbag ruptures under them.

Try several different chemical ratios and engineering optimizations to make the largest bag possible that doesn't rupture.

Did you notice any differences between your home experiments and the ones in this lab? Why might they be different?

Clean up!

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