Baking Soda & Vinegar Volcano
Mix baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid) to create a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas! Drag the ingredients to the volcano and observe the eruption.
When baking soda and vinegar mix, you'll see bubbling and foaming as carbon dioxide gas is produced.
The Science Behind the Reaction
The reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid) produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate:
NaHCO₃ + CH₃COOH → CO₂ + H₂O + CH₃COONa
The bubbles you see are carbon dioxide gas (COâ‚‚) being released. This is the same gas that makes bubbles in soda drinks!
This is an acid-base reaction. Similar reactions happen in baking (helping cakes rise), fire extinguishers, and even in your stomach when you take antacids.