What is the chemical reaction of vinegar and baking soda?

When vinegar (aqueous solution of acetic acid, CH3COOH) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3) are mixed, they undergo a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas (CO2), water (H2O), and sodium acetate (CH3COONa). The chemical equation for this reaction is:

CH3COOH (vinegar) + NaHCO3 (baking soda) -> CO2 (gas) + H2O (water) + CH3COONa (sodium acetate)

Here's a step-by-step explanation of the reaction:

1. When vinegar and baking soda are mixed, the acetic acid in vinegar reacts with the sodium bicarbonate to form carbonic acid (H2CO3).

CH3COOH + NaHCO3 -> H2CO3 + CH3COONa

2. Carbonic acid is unstable and immediately decomposes into water and carbon dioxide gas.

H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2

3. The carbon dioxide gas produced in the reaction is responsible for the fizzing and bubbling observed when vinegar and baking soda are combined.

4. The sodium acetate formed as a product of the reaction remains dissolved in the solution.

Overall, the reaction between vinegar and baking soda is a classic example of an acid-base reaction, where an acid (vinegar) reacts with a base (baking soda) to produce salt (sodium acetate), water, and carbon dioxide gas.