Question

When vinegar and baking soda react together what new substance is produced?

Answer 1

Carbon dioxide, water and sodium acetate.

Explanation:

The active material in vinegar is acetic acid which is present at somewhere between 5 and 20% w/w depending on the grade (the product you can buy in shops is closer to 5%). Baking soda is sodium hydrogen carbonate or "sodium bicarbonate". The reaction proceeds as follows:

`NaHCO_3(s) + CH_3COOH(l) → CO_2(g) + H_2O(l) + CH3COO-Na (aq)`

The reaction yields carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate, which is the sodium salt of acetic acid. This is formed in aqueous solution.