Hot and Cold Ice Cream

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 Ages: 8-12

Objective: Show how temperature affects the rate of a chemical reaction and create a delicious treat in the process.

Materials Needed:

  1. Small plastic or paper cups (2 per child)
  2. Ice cream mix (store-bought or homemade)
  3. Ice
  4. Salt
  5. Milk
  6. Sugar
  7. Vanilla extract (optional)
  8. Spoons
  9. Plastic bags (ziplock or resealable)
  10. A towel or apron (to protect from spills)

Procedure:

  1. Prepare Ice Cream Mix:

    • In one cup, mix 1 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract (if using). Stir until the sugar is dissolved. This is your ice cream base.

  2. Prepare Ice Bath:

    • Fill a large plastic bag with ice and add 1/2 cup of salt. This will create a very cold environment for the ice cream mix.

  3. Combine Ingredients:

    • Pour the ice cream mix into a smaller plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly.

  4. Submerge in Ice Bath:

    • Place the small plastic bag with the ice cream mix into the larger bag with ice and salt. Seal the large bag tightly.

  5. Shake and Wait:

    • Shake the large bag vigorously for about 5-10 minutes. The mixture inside the smaller bag will start to freeze into ice cream. Make sure to shake it evenly to get the best results.

  6. Serve:

    • Carefully remove the small bag from the larger bag. Wipe it off to remove any salt. Open the small bag and scoop out your homemade ice cream.

Observation:

  • The ice cream mix will turn into a creamy texture due to the freezing effect of the ice and salt combination.

Explanation:

  • The salt lowers the freezing point of ice, allowing it to become colder than 0°C (32°F). This lower temperature helps the ice cream mix freeze more quickly. The vigorous shaking helps the mix freeze evenly and prevents large ice crystals from forming.

Extensions:

  1. Different Flavors:

    • Experiment with different flavorings or add-ins like chocolate chips or fruit to the ice cream mix.

  2. Temperature Comparisons:

    • Try the experiment with different amounts of salt or at different temperatures to see how it affects the freezing process.

  3. Ice Cream Science:

    • Discuss how the salt affects the freezing point and why it helps in making ice cream.

Safety Note:

  • Ensure children handle the bags carefully to avoid spills and avoid ingesting the salt or ice. Clean up any spills immediately to prevent slipping.

This experiment is a tasty way to explore how temperature affects chemical reactions and to make a fun treat in the process! 

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