Alka-Seltzer Reaction Rate

• One way to experiment with Alka-Seltzer water, is by using a stopwatch to measure the reaction time of varying amounts of Alka-Seltzer when dissolved in the same amount of water. First, fill three glass with one cup of water. Drop one whole Alka-Seltzer in the first glass and time how long it takes to dissolve completely. Repeat with the other two glasses and average the results. Alternatives to this experiment include breaking the tablets in half for one set of tests and crushing the tablets and repeating for another set of tests.
  
  

Alka-Seltzer Lava Lamp

• Another experiment involves creating an Alka-Seltzer water lava lamp. A 16-ounce soda pop bottle should be emptied and cleaned, then filled 3/4 full with vegetable oil and the rest of the way with plain water, just up to the neck of the bottle. Color the water with 10 drops of food coloring. Break up one Alka-Seltzer tablet into about six to eight pieces and drop them in one at a time, watching for a reaction. When the reaction is completed, twist the bottle top on tightly. Shake the bottle, mixing contents thoroughly and observe the results.
  
  

Seltzer Water and Plant Growth

• Test tap water, mineral water and bottled seltzer water with radish or green bean seeds. Place rock wool in three small containers. Fill the first container most of the way with tap water, the second with mineral water and the third with seltzer water. Place two radish or green bean seeds on top of the rock wool. Place the containers 20 centimeters (cm) under a plant light. Twice a week, water levels, water pH, plant height and room temperature should be checked. Lower plants as necessary to keep them 20cm from the light. Replenish water level at this time, being careful to add the correct water to each container. At the end of three weeks, observe the differences in plant height, coloration and plant health.
  
  

Seltzer Water Taste Test

• Unsweetened orange-, lemon/lime- and strawberry-flavored seltzer waters and food coloring are used to perform a round of taste tests. Color a one-liter bottle each of lemon/lime-, orange- and strawberry-flavored seltzer waters with red food coloring. Color a second set with yellow and green food colorings and a third set of seltzer waters with orange food coloring. Perform taste tests with three groups of five to six test subjects. Provide each person with a response sheet to record perceptions during the test. First give each person a set of orange, then yellow/green and finally a set of red seltzer-waters. Test subjects should record the flavor they think each colored seltzer water tasted like. Tabulate taste-test results for each color and flavor to determine the number of correct and incorrect guesses.