Materials
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Clear container (cup or bottle)
- Spoon or funnel
- Tray or paper towels (for mess control)
- Optional: Balloon (to see gas)
Procedure
- Place the container on the tray.
- Add 2–3 tablespoons of baking soda into the container.
- Quickly pour in ½ cup of vinegar and step back!
- Optional: Place balloon over container
- Observe the fizzing reaction.
Choose Your Learning Level
Elementary
When you mix baking soda and vinegar, they create bubbles and foam. This is because they make a gas called carbon dioxide, like the bubbles in soda. It’s fun and safe to watch!
Discussion Questions
- What did you see when you poured the vinegar in?
- Did the container overflow?
- Can you think of other bubbly things you’ve seen?
Middle School
This is an acid-base reaction. Baking soda (a base) reacts with vinegar (an acid), forming carbon dioxide gas. That gas escapes quickly, creating bubbles and foam. This is an example of a chemical change—you made something new!
Discussion Questions
- What evidence shows this is a chemical change?
- What are some uses of carbon dioxide in real life?
- How could you make the reaction slower or faster?
High School
The balanced chemical reaction is:
NaHCO₃ + CH₃COOH → CO₂ + H₂O + CH₃COONa
This is an acid-base reaction between sodium bicarbonate and acetic acid. The rapid formation of CO₂ gas drives the effervescence. The experiment demonstrates gas evolution, reaction kinetics (surface area & concentration effects), and limiting reactants if quantities are controlled.
Discussion Questions
- How would temperature affect the reaction rate?
- How can you determine the limiting reactant?
- What industries use this type of reaction?