Yes, you can mix baking soda and vinegar together. When baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid) are combined, an exciting chemical reaction occurs producing bubbles and fizz. This reaction is safe and fun to do at home.
What happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar?
Baking soda is a bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and vinegar is an acetic acid (CH3COOH). When they are mixed, they undergo a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas (CO2). Here is the chemical equation for the reaction:
NaHCO3 + CH3COOH → NaCH3COO + H2O + CO2
The carbon dioxide gas forms bubbles, which is why you see fizzing when baking soda and vinegar are combined. Some other effects of the reaction:
- Fizzing due to release of carbon dioxide gas
- Solution will be lightly basic due to sodium acetate product
- Release of heat energy
This reaction happens quickly which is why the fizzing occurs right after mixing the baking soda and vinegar. The fizzing and bubbling is fun to watch but is even better when you combine the ingredients in a closed container like a plastic bottle so you can see it blow up!
Chemical properties of baking soda and vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar have chemical properties that allow them to react when combined.
Baking Soda
- Chemical formula: NaHCO3
- pH: 8.3 (basic)
- Water soluble
- Acts as a leavening agent in baking by producing carbon dioxide gas when exposed to an acid
Vinegar
- Chemical formula: CH3COOH
- pH: 2.4 (acidic)
- Soluble in water
- Acetic acid is the main component of vinegars which gives them acidic properties
When the baking soda (base) and vinegar (acid) meet in water, they neutralize each other into water and a salt while releasing carbon dioxide gas.
Uses for baking soda and vinegar reactions
Mixing baking soda and vinegar produces an entertaining reaction while also being useful for cleaning and science experiments. Here are some ideas:
- Volcano projects – create an erupting volcano model using baking soda and vinegar.
- Bath bombs – fizzy bath bombs can be made with baking soda and vinegar or citric acid.
- Cleaning – use the reaction to unclog drains by pouring baking soda down the drain followed by vinegar.
- Chemical volcanoes – the classic science fair project using a soda bottle to erupt.
- pH indicator – mix cabbage juice or other natural indicator to see the acid-base reaction.
- Balloon inflator – fill a balloon with baking soda and vinegar to inflate it.
Steps for mixing baking soda and vinegar
Here is a simple procedure to mix baking soda and vinegar to observe the reaction:
- Gather your supplies – baking soda, vinegar, and a cup or bottle.
- Pour 1 tablespoon of baking soda into the cup or bottle.
- Slowly pour in vinegar until it starts to fizz and bubble.
- Watch the reaction occur!
For a bigger reaction, use more baking soda and vinegar. You can also substitute lemon juice or other acids for the vinegar. Make sure to do this over a sink or outside since it will bubble up and overflow.
Reaction rate factors
There are a few variables that affect the rate of the baking soda and vinegar reaction:
- Surface area – decreasing particle size by crushing the baking soda into a powder increases its surface area and increases reaction rate.
- Temperature – heating the solutions increases reaction kinetics
- Concentration – using more baking soda and vinegar increases the collision frequency and reaction rate.
- Presence of catalyst – adding soap to the reaction can enhance the rate.
You can try adjusting these variables and observing the effect on the carbon dioxide bubbles produced. The reaction occurs faster when the baking soda surface area is greater, the temperature is higher, the concentrations are increased, and a catalyst like detergent is present.
The chemistry behind the fizz
The fizzing and bubbling is caused by the release of gaseous carbon dioxide when the baking soda and vinegar react. Here is a closer look at the chemistry:
- Acetic acid (vinegar) protonates baking soda into sodium bicarbonate and water.
- The bicarbonate decomposes into sodium acetate, water, and carbon dioxide gas.
- Carbon dioxide has low solubility in water, so bubbles form as it tries to escape solution.
- Pressure builds from the gas until the bubbles release, which we observe as fizzing.
The reaction continues producing more carbon dioxide until one of the reactants is used up. Adding more baking soda or vinegar will cause more fizzing as the reaction proceeds further. The chemistry produces interesting results you can utilize for fun experiments!
Is the reaction exothermic or endothermic?
The baking soda and vinegar reaction is exothermic. This means it releases heat energy to the surroundings. You can test this by feeling the side of the container after mixing the ingredients. It will feel slightly warm to the touch due to the energy released during the chemical reaction.
In an exothermic process like this one, the energy released comes from the chemical bonds that are broken and reformed when the reactants turn into products. New bonds form between atoms of the products, sodium acetate and water, and these bonds are more energetically stable, so energy is released.
Exothermic reactions involve energy flowing from the system (ingredients) into the surroundings (environment). The opposite is an endothermic process that requires energy to be absorbed from the surroundings by the chemical system.
Is the reaction reversible?
No, the baking soda and vinegar reaction is not reversible. The products cannot revert back into the original reactant compounds. This is an example of an irreversible chemical reaction.
For a reaction to be reversible, it must maintain an equilibrium between the reactants and products. But when baking soda and vinegar react, all of the original substances are converted to new products. The baking soda and vinegar are used up entirely and do not remain to shift the reaction backwards.
Additionally, one of the products is carbon dioxide gas, which bubbles away and escapes the solution. The gaseous product makes it thermodynamically unfavorable for the reaction to reverse direction. So this reaction proceeds in only one direction towards the formation of products.
Reaction stoichiometry
The stoichiometric coefficients in the balanced chemical equation can be used to calculate amounts of products formed from given reactants. Here is the equation again:
NaHCO3 + CH3COOH → NaCH3COO + H2O + CO2
If we started with:
- 2 moles of baking soda (NaHCO3)
- 1 mole of vinegar (CH3COOH)
The stoichiometric ratios from the equation tell us the amounts of products produced will be:
- 2 moles of sodium acetate (NaCH3COO)
- 1 mole of water (H2O)
- 2 moles of carbon dioxide (CO2)
These ratios apply for any given quantities based on the reaction coefficients. This allows prediction of the products theoretically expected from specific starting reactant amounts.
Is vinegar the same as acetic acid?
Vinegar and acetic acid are not exactly the same, but vinegar contains acetic acid which gives it the ability to react with baking soda.
Vinegar is a diluted solution of acetic acid made through fermenting ethanol. Vinegar typically contains 4-8% acetic acid by volume. The acetic acid is produced by acetobacter bacteria during the fermentation process.
Pure acetic acid on its own is a colorless, pungent liquid with the chemical formula CH3COOH. When diluted to make vinegars, it gives them a sour taste and the ability to react with bases like baking soda.
So vinegar contains acetic acid as its active ingredient. The acetic acid is what chemically reacts with the sodium bicarbonate in baking soda. Vinegar and acetic acid have a similar reaction effect when mixed with baking soda.
Vinegar and baking soda reaction benefits
There are some useful benefits to harnessing the chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar such as:
- Cleaner – Can help clean drains, surfaces, and other items around the house
- Deodorizer – Baking soda neutralizes acidic odors due to its alkaline properties
- Beauty – Homemade bath bombs and skin remedies use this reaction
- Cooking – Baking soda acts as a leavening agent with vinegar or lemon juice
- Fire extinguisher – Baking soda neutralizes combustion and vinegar helps smother flames
The chemical reaction produces carbon dioxide gas, which is useful for many purposes around the home. And it occurs using common, natural ingredients between the acid in vinegar and base in baking soda.
Reaction limitations
While exciting and useful, there are some limitations to the chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar:
- Limited amount of product – since reactants are used up, only a certain amount of CO2 gas is produced
- Messy/hard to control – the resulting foam and bubbles tend to overflow containers
- Short duration – the reaction only lasts a minute or two before stopping
- Weak acid/base – vinegar and baking soda are weak, so reaction rate is slower than for strong acids like HCl
The reaction can’t be sustained for extended periods of time and is difficult to carry out in open containers without making a mess. Using stronger acid/base solutions gives a faster, more dramatic reaction. But baking soda and vinegar are safer choices for home use.
Fun baking soda and vinegar experiments
Here are some fun experiments and projects you can do using the chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar:
Erupting volcanoes
Make mini volcanic eruptions by filling a modelling clay or playdough volcano with baking soda and pouring vinegar into the crater. For giant volcanic effects, use a 2 liter soda bottle half filled with vinegar and add several tablespoons of baking soda. You can color the vinegar first using food coloring.
Balloon inflation
Partially inflate a balloon, then add 2 tablespoons baking soda and secure the neck around a bottle. Pour vinegar into the bottle and watch the balloon inflate on its own! The carbon dioxide produced fills the balloon to make it expand.
Propelled rocket ships
Make a baking soda and vinegar powered rocket ship by filling a small plastic or paper tube with 1 tablespoon baking soda. Attach the tube to the side of a soda bottle, then add 1/4 cup vinegar and quickly put the lid on. The pressure from the reaction will launch the “rocket” off the bottle.
Cleaning pennies
Shiny pennies can be cleaned using baking soda and vinegar. Put dirty pennies in a bowl and coat with baking soda, then pour vinegar over them. The acid-base reaction helps remove the tarnish, leaving shiny clean pennies behind. Rinse and let dry.
Fizzy bath bombs
For a fun DIY spa project, make fizzy bath bombs using 1 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup citric acid, and a few drops of essential oils if desired. Mix the powder, then spritz with a small amount of water. Pack into ball molds and let dry. Drop one in a bath and watch it fizz while coloring and scenting the water.
Reaction demonstrations
The baking soda and vinegar reaction can be used to demonstrate some key chemical principles:
Chemical vs physical changes
Show how mixing baking soda and vinegar produces new chemicals, compared to just mixing two solutions together which is a physical change.
Acids and bases
Use red cabbage indicator or pH strips to show how vinegar is acidic before the reaction and the products are slightly alkaline.
Endothermic vs exothermic
Have students feel the warmth of the container after the reaction to understand it as an exothermic process.
Reactants and products
Identify the starting substances and end products to demonstrate the concept of chemical reactions.
With visual, colorful results, this simple reaction is perfect for introducing fundamental science concepts in an engaging way!
Reaction variations
Many variations on the classic baking soda and vinegar reaction can be performed using different liquids and conditions:
- Substitute lemon juice, citric acid, or hydrochloric acid for vinegar
- Use hot versus cold vinegar to alter reaction rate
- Add calcium chloride or sodium chloride to form precipitates
- Suspend baking soda in gels versus direct mixing in solution
- Alter baking soda to vinegar ratios
- Add detergent to foam up the reaction
Playing with different reactants, temperatures, and combinations can create all kinds of interesting twists on the classic foamy chemical reaction. Just avoid irritation by not using very concentrated acids or inhaling the carbon dioxide produced.
FAQs
Why do baking soda and vinegar fizz?
The fizzing results from carbon dioxide gas being produced when the baking soda reacts with acids in the vinegar. The gas bubbles up through the solution, releasing from the liquid to create the fizzy foam.
Can you drink baking soda and vinegar?
No, you should not drink baking soda and vinegar. Ingesting this combination could lead to digestive issues due to the release of carbon dioxide gas in your stomach. Drinking baking soda or vinegar alone diluted in water is generally considered safe, but consuming them together is not recommended.
Does temperature affect the reaction rate?
Yes, temperature has a significant effect on the rate of the baking soda and vinegar reaction. Heating the vinegar will cause the reaction to occur faster. Cooling the vinegar will slow down the reaction rate. Increased temperature increases the kinetic energy of molecules, allowing them to react more vigorously upon collision.
What is the gas produced from this reaction?
Carbon dioxide gas (CO2) is produced when baking soda and vinegar react. The carbon dioxide forms bubbles and fizzes out of the solution and into the air.
Are baking soda and vinegar an acid or a base?
Baking soda is a base and vinegar is an acid. When combined they neutralize one another into a solution that is slightly more on the basic side of the pH scale.