When vinegar and baking soda react, they give off carbon dioxide. The chemical name of baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Vinegar is a 5% solution of acetic acid in water. The formula for acetic acid is CH3COOH.
When both these compounds react, an acid-base reaction occurs. The compounds dissociate into the following ions first:
NaHCO3 -----> Na+(aq) + HCO3-(aq)
CH3COOH -----> CH3COO-(aq) + H+(aq)
Let's look at the rest of the reaction:
HCO3- (aq) + H+ (aq) ----> H2CO3
Thus, carbonic acid is formed. The other ions react to form sodium acetate;
Na+ (aq) + CH3COO- (aq) -----> CH3COONa
Now, the carbonic acid that was formed dissociates:
H2CO3 (aq) -----> H2O (l) + CO2 (g)
So, we see how carbon dioxide is formed. When it is given off, we observe effervescence or bubbling in the reaction solution.
Now, how do you prove that the gas is carbon dioxide? That's simple. Just connect your reaction flask to a flask containing some limewater. If the limewater turns milky, it confirms that the gas is carbon dioxide.
When both these compounds react, an acid-base reaction occurs. The compounds dissociate into the following ions first:
NaHCO3 -----> Na+(aq) + HCO3-(aq)
CH3COOH -----> CH3COO-(aq) + H+(aq)
Let's look at the rest of the reaction:
HCO3- (aq) + H+ (aq) ----> H2CO3
Thus, carbonic acid is formed. The other ions react to form sodium acetate;
Na+ (aq) + CH3COO- (aq) -----> CH3COONa
Now, the carbonic acid that was formed dissociates:
H2CO3 (aq) -----> H2O (l) + CO2 (g)
So, we see how carbon dioxide is formed. When it is given off, we observe effervescence or bubbling in the reaction solution.
Now, how do you prove that the gas is carbon dioxide? That's simple. Just connect your reaction flask to a flask containing some limewater. If the limewater turns milky, it confirms that the gas is carbon dioxide.
