A Fizzy Reaction

A Fizzy Reaction
Chemical reactions play a role in many parts of life. A chemical reaction is a process where two or
more molecules interact to form one or more different substances. In a reaction, the atoms or
molecules of the starting substances, or the reactants, are rearranged to form new substances.
These newly-formed substances, called products, have different properties than the reactants.
Burning fuels, baking bread, and digesting food all involve various chemical reactions. One
experiment involving chemical reactions that you might see in many science classes-and in many
kitchens-is combining baking soda and vinegar to create a fizzy result! Combining these substances
causes two chemical reactions: an acid-base reaction and a decomposition reaction. The changes
that occur when vinegar and baking soda are combined can be easily observed and reveal a lot about
how these chemical reactions work.

When baking soda and vinegar are combined, an acid-base reaction occurs. But what, exactly, are
acids and bases? You may associate the word acidic with fruits like lemons. Citric acid in lemons
creates the fruits' signature sour flavor. The word "acid" actually comes from the Latin word for "sour".
Acids have more properties than their sour flavor, however. Acids also corrode metal and have a
rough texture. In chemistry, an acid is defined as any substance that releases hydrogen ions (H+)
when dissolved in water. A hydrogen ion is the nucleus of a hydrogen atom separated from its
accompanying electron. A hydrogen ion has a positive electric charge and is also referred to as a
proton. In an acid-base reaction, an acid loses, or donates, its proton to the other reactant involved in
the reaction. Bases have different physical properties than those of acids. They have a bitter taste
and a soapy, slippery texture. Ammonia, found in many cleaning products, is a base. A base releases
hydroxide ions (OH-) when dissolved in water. In an acid-base reaction, a base also accepts the
proton from the acid.

An acid-base reaction is also called a neutralization reaction. That's because this chemical reaction
neutralizes the properties of both the acid and the base. Acid-base reactions always result in the
formation of a salt. In the world of chemistry, salt is not just referring to what you season your dinner
with. The term "salt" refers to a chemical compound with equal amounts of positive and negative ions,
resulting in no net electric charge. In an acid-base reaction, a salt is formed when the hydrogen ions
from an acid are replaced by positive ions from a base.

In a reaction between vinegar and baking soda, which substance is the acid and which is the base? If
you guessed that vinegar is the acid and baking soda is the base, you'd be correct! Vinegar is made
up of water and acetic acid (CHCOOH). Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO).

When vinegar is poured onto baking soda, two different chemical reactions take place rapidly, one
after another. The first is the acid-base reaction: acetic acid reacts with sodium bicarbonate to form
the salt sodium acetate (C2HNaO2) and carbonic acid (H2CO ). The second chemical reaction is a
decomposition reaction, where a compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances.
Carbonic acid is very unstable, so it decomposes rapidly to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water
(H2O). So in the end, the products from these two reactions are sodium acetate, water, and carbon
dioxide. The carbon dioxide escapes the solution as a gas, bubbling and expanding. That's the fizz
you see! Like in many chemical reactions, the new substances that have been created can never
change back into the original reactants. These chemical reactions are permanent and irreversible.

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 A Fizzy Reaction

Chemical reactions based on substances like these are quite useful in the kitchen. Bakers often use
baking soda and vinegars or other acids when making the batter for baked goods. When heated in
the oven, the carbon dioxide gas from the chemical reactions gets trapped in the batter and expands,
creating a light, airy texture. Thanks to chemical reactions, muffins and cakes are an enjoyable, fluffy
treat! Cooks can even use the chemical reactions from these substances to clean burnt food stuck to
a pot. Boiling water in the dirty pot and adding baking soda and vinegar helps loosen acidic foods,
making the pot much easier to clean.

Beyond the kitchen, acid-base reactions and decomposition reactions have important applications in
various fields. They are used to produce fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial substances.
And at the most basic level, acid-base reactions and decomposition reactions occur naturally in the
cells that make up living beings. Understanding these reactions can help people find practical
solutions to various problems.

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 A Fizzy Reaction - Comprehension Questions

Name: ___________________________________ Date: _______________

1. What is a chemical reaction?

A. a chemical compound with equal amounts of positive and negative ions and no net
electric charge
B. a substance that has a bitter taste, a soapy and slippery texture, and can be found in
ammonia
C. a substance that corrodes metals and releases hydrogen ions when dissolved in
water
D. a process where two or more molecules interact to form one or more different
substances

2. The text describes the sequence of events that happens when acetic acid (vinegar)
and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) combine. What is the first thing that happens
when these substances are combined?

A. Carbonic acid decomposes rapidly to produce carbon dioxide and water.

B. Carbon dioxide gas escapes and causes the solution to bubble and expand.
C. An acid-base reaction occurs, forming the salt sodium acetate and carbonic acid.
D. Carbon dioxide gas gets trapped and expands to create a light, airy texture.

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 A Fizzy Reaction - Comprehension Questions

3. Read the following sentences from the text.

"In chemistry, an acid is defined as any substance that releases hydrogen ions (H+)
when dissolved in water. A hydrogen ion is the nucleus of a hydrogen atom separated
from its accompanying electron. A hydrogen ion has a positive electric charge and is
also referred to as a proton. In an acid-base reaction, an acid loses, or donates, its
proton to the other reactant involved in the reaction....In an acid-base reaction, a
base also accepts the proton from the acid.

An acid-base reaction is also called a neutralization reaction. That's because this

chemical reaction neutralizes the properties of both the acid and the base. Acid-base
reactions always result in the formation of a salt. In the world of chemistry, salt is not
just referring to what you season your dinner with. The term "salt" refers to a
chemical compound with equal amounts of positive and negative ions, resulting in no
net electric charge. In an acid-base reaction, a salt is formed when the hydrogen ions
from an acid are replaced by positive ions from a base."

What conclusion can you draw from this evidence about the products of an acid-base
reaction?

A. During an acid-base reaction, a new product is formed but the acid and base are also
still present separately, in their original forms.
B. The product created from an acid-base reaction is an easy way to make different
types of flavored salt for seasoning food.
C. All the parts of the atoms in the acid and base are still present in the products of the
reaction, though they have rearranged to form different substances.
D. In an acid-base reaction, a product is changed back into its original reactants in order
to reverse the chemical reaction.

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 A Fizzy Reaction - Comprehension Questions

4. Vinegar and baking soda separately cannot do what vinegar and baking soda
combined can do. According to the text, which of the following examples
demonstrates this?

A. Using baking soda and vinegar together in baked goods releases carbon dioxide gas
and creates an airy texture that would not take place if they weren't combined.
B. Combining vinegar and baking soda causes a chemical reaction that creates
ammonia and there would not be good cleaning products if they weren't mixed together.
C. When people eat vinegar and baking soda together, their cells do a better job of
turning oxygen into carbon dioxide when breathing than if they only ate one of them.
D. To clean a pot, you must wipe it with vinegar, wash it, cover it with baking soda, and
then wash it again because combining them in the pot will permanently damage it.

5. What is the main idea of this text?

A. Some cooks use the chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda to help
loosen and clean acidic foods that have burned onto a pot.
B. In chemistry, salt is a chemical compound that has equal amounts of positive and
negative ions and no net electric charge.
C. Combining vinegar and baking soda leads to an acid-base reaction and a
decomposition reaction, two common and important kinds of chemical reactions.
D. Acids taste sour, corrode metal, have a rough texture, and release hydrogen ions
when dissolved in water.

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