Vinegar reacts with baking soda because they are chemically opposites. Vinegar is an acid, while baking soda is a base. When an acid and a base react, they neutralize each other and form water and a salt. In the case of vinegar and baking soda, the salt is sodium acetate.

The chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda is:

C2H4O2 + NaHCO3 → NaC2H3O2 + H2O + CO2

• C2H4O2 is acetic acid, the main component of vinegar.
• NaHCO3 is sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda.
• NaC2H3O2 is sodium acetate, the salt formed in the reaction.
• H2O is water.
• CO2 is carbon dioxide gas, which is what causes the bubbles.

The amount of baking soda and vinegar needed to react depends on the concentration of the vinegar. A more concentrated vinegar will require less baking soda to react. In general, a good starting point is to use 1 tablespoon of baking soda for every 2 tablespoons of vinegar.

The reaction between vinegar and baking soda is a quick and exothermic reaction, meaning that it releases heat. It is important to be careful when mixing these two substances, as the heat can cause the mixture to splatter. It is also important to do the reaction in a well-ventilated area, as the carbon dioxide gas can be harmful if inhaled in large amounts.

The reaction between vinegar and baking soda can be used for a variety of purposes, such as cleaning, deodorizing, and making a volcano model. It is also a fun and educational science experiment that can be done at home.