Does acetic acid react with baking soda?

The science behind the fizz: Acetic acid meets baking soda

If you have ever mixed vinegar and baking soda to make a mini volcano for a school project, you have witnessed one of the most classic chemical reactions in action. At its core, that exciting fizz is all about a straightforward interaction between an acid and a base.

Vinegar contains acetic acid, while baking soda is made of sodium bicarbonate. The moment these two substances come into contact, they quickly interact and transform. This reaction produces three main results: sodium acetate, plain old water, and carbon dioxide gas.

While the sodium acetate and water quietly settle into the liquid mixture, the carbon dioxide does something entirely different. Because it is a gas, it rapidly bubbles up and escapes into the air, creating that signature foaming eruption. It is a brilliant, hands-on way to see chemistry work right before your eyes—no complicated lab equipment required!