Simple Baking Soda and Vinegar Explorations

We love experimenting with baking soda and vinegar. It’s the number one science activity my son requests. I wanted to share with you this simple baking soda and vinegar exploration. It takes less than 5 minutes to set up.

Simple Baking Soda and Vinegar Explorations

Supplies:

• large container {We used an underbed storage bin. A large baking dish would  also work well.}
• baking soda
• vinegar
• cups/bowls for pouring and mixing
• water {optional} Use it to dilute the vinegar.
• spray bottle {optional}
• liquid soap {optional}
• liquid watercolors or food coloring {optional}

Here is the set up I made for Aiden inside the underbed storage bin:

The spray bottle has vinegar and water in it. The cup has vinegar, water, and dish soap. The small bowl just has baking soda. I spread some baking soda directly onto the bottom of the storage container. Then, I added a few drops of liquid watercolors in various places. I covered the watercolor drops with more baking soda so they were hidden.

Ways to Play:

Let your kids mix up the materials how they want. Here is what Aiden did and the reactions he got.

First he sprayed vinegar into the bowl of baking soda.

Next, he sprayed vinegar onto the pile of baking soda. He found a colorful surprise.

Then, Aiden poured the vinegar and soap mixture onto the baking soda. The result was a foamy bubbly reaction.

He continued spraying, pouring, and mixing until all of the baking soda had reacted.

The Science Behind It

Baking soda {sodium bicarbonate} is a base and vinegar {acetic acid} is an acid. When combined, they react to form water, a salt {sodium acetate}, and carbon dioxide gas. The bubbles produced by the reaction are the carbon dioxide gas escaping the water.

More Baking Soda and Vinegar Ideas

Check out this post for 20 more baking soda science ideas!

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This post was originally published on November 20, 2014.