Hooked on Science: Baking soda and vinegar explosion

Watch the chemical reaction that happens when you mix together baking soda and vinegar inside of a zip-top bag.

Materials

* Baking soda

* Vinegar

* Paper towel

* Zip-top bag

Instructions

STEP 1: Tear a paper towel into four equal pieces. Pour two tablespoons of baking soda into the center of one paper towel square. Fold the square into a smaller square so the baking soda is inside.

STEP 2: Fill the zip-top bag one-fourth of the way with vinegar.

STEP 3: Drop the paper towel square into the bag. Holding the bag over the trash can, close it and observe.

Explanation

When you mix the baking soda with the vinegar, a chemical reaction is created, making carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide caused the bag to expand and eventually pop.

Jason Lindsey is a science outreach educator with Hooked on Science. Check out his website www.hookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments that might get you hooked on science. Send him your science questions at jlindseyhookedonscience.com.