What happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar in a balloon?

Mixing vinegar and baking soda in a balloon creates a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas. Carbon dioxide gas is lighter than air, so it causes the balloon to inflate. The reaction is also exothermic, which means that it releases heat. This heat can cause the balloon to expand even further.

The reaction between vinegar and baking soda is a type of acid-base reaction. In this reaction, the vinegar (acetic acid) reacts with the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to produce carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate. The chemical equation for this reaction is:

CH3COOH + NaHCO3 → CO2 + H2O + CH3COONa

The carbon dioxide gas produced by this reaction is what causes the balloon to inflate. The water and sodium acetate are both soluble in water, so they remain in the balloon after the reaction is complete.

The reaction between vinegar and baking soda is a fun and easy way to demonstrate the properties of gases. It is also a great way to teach kids about chemical reactions.