Sodium Bicarbonate and Acetic Acid (Vinegar Volcano)

NaHCO₃ + CH₃COOH → CH₃COONa + H₂O + CO₂

Overview

Baking soda reacts with vinegar to produce sodium acetate, water, and carbon dioxide gas. This endothermic reaction absorbs heat, making the mixture slightly cooler. The vigorous fizzing from CO2 is one of the most widely performed kitchen chemistry experiments.

Participants

Role	Substance	Coefficient	State
Reactant	Sodium Bicarbonate NaHCO₃	1	(s)
Reactant	Acetic Acid CH₃COOH	1	(aq)
Product	Water H₂O	1	(l)
Product	Carbon Dioxide CO₂	1	(g)

Everyday Example

The classic baking soda and vinegar volcano is probably the most popular science fair experiment of all time, demonstrating acid-base reactions.

Industrial Importance

Sodium acetate produced by this reaction is used as a food preservative, in heating pads (supersaturated solution crystallization), and in textile dyeing.

Properties

Type: Double Replacement
Reversible: No
Energy: Endothermic
ΔH: 12.0 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Aluminum Hydroxide and Hydrochloric Acid Ammonia and Hydrochloric Acid (White Smoke) Barium Chloride and Sodium Sulfate Precipitation Calcium Carbonate and Hydrochloric Acid Calcium Chloride and Sodium Carbonate Calcium Hydroxide and Carbon Dioxide (Limewater Test) Calcium Hydroxide and Sulfuric Acid Copper(II) Sulfate and Sodium Hydroxide Iron(III) Chloride and Sodium Hydroxide Lead Nitrate and Potassium Iodide (Golden Rain)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Sodium Bicarbonate and Acetic Acid (Vinegar Volcano)?

The balanced equation is: NaHCO₃ + CH₃COOH → CH₃COONa + H₂O + CO₂.

What type of reaction is Sodium Bicarbonate and Acetic Acid (Vinegar Volcano)?

Sodium Bicarbonate and Acetic Acid (Vinegar Volcano) is a double replacement reaction.

Is Sodium Bicarbonate and Acetic Acid (Vinegar Volcano) exothermic or endothermic?

Sodium Bicarbonate and Acetic Acid (Vinegar Volcano) is endothermic (absorbs energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is 12.0 kJ/mol.