If you’ve ever made an erupting volcano model you most likely used the baking soda and vinegar reaction to make it erupt. Baking soda and vinegar react to neutralise each other ( vinegar is an acid and baking soda an alkali ) releasing carbon dioxide, which is the bubbles of gas you see. If you add a little washing-up liquid ( dish soap ), the foam becomes thick, a little like lava!
This reaction is used for lots of fun science experiments including popping bags and blowing up balloons.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Reaction Equation
Baking Soda + Vinegar —-> Carbon Dioxide + Water + Sodium Ion + Acetate Ion
You can read more about the chemistry behind the reaction here.
Try an experiment!
Now you know the science behind the reaction, why not try one of our many explosive baking soda and vinegar experiments?
One of our favourites is fizzy colour changing potions! These use red cabbage indicator for the colour changing part and the vinegar and baking soda reaction to make the fizz!
Frozen baking soda ice cubes are great fun too!
More easy science for kids
Don’t forget I’ve got 100s more easy science activities and experiments for kids to try! We’ve got STEM challenges, kitchen science experiments and lots of ideas for science at home!
If you try any, I’d love to see them, so please do share on social media and tag @sciencesparks.
Last Updated on September 30, 2025 by Emma Vanstone
