• Question: How come when you mix vinger with baking soda it explodes?

    Asked by meg123 to Amy, Karen, Sarah, Vijay, Will on 19 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Will Reynolds

      Will Reynolds answered on 19 Jun 2012:

      HI Meg! Great question. This is a classic acid + carbonate reaction, vinegar being the acid (acetic acid) and baking soda being the carbonate (sodium bicarbonate). Not sure what year your in but I did this at school in year 9. When you mix an acid with a carbonate you make water, carbon dioxide and a salt. The chemical equation looks like this:

      CH3CO2H + NaCO3H ==> CH3CO2Na + H2O + CO2

      The reason it seems to explode is because you are creating carbon dioxide gas which causes the fizzing and bubbling. If you want to make it more exciting add some washing up liquid too! The carbon dioxide gets trapped in the washing up liquid and makes a big foamy mess!

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