Josh decided to mix some vinegar with baking soda. He knew that a reaction occurred because he made careful observations. He not
ed that the mixture started to foam up and bubble and was white in color. How did josh know that a chemical reaction occured? He was sure a reaction occured because of
Josh was sure that the reaction occurred because of the formation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) which is a gas.
Explanation:
Vinegar contains acetic acid (CH₃-COOH) and baking soda is sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO₃). The reaction between these two compounds will produce sodium acetate (CH₃-COONa), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).
CH₃-COOH + NaHCO₃ → CH₃-COONa + CO₂ + H₂O
Josh was sure that the reaction occurred because of the formation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) which is a gas.
Eggshells are made primarily of calcium carbonate. The acid in vinegar softens the calcium of the eggshell. Adding a little vinegar to the water when boiling eggs is an old cook’s trick that makes them easier to peel.
A link to this experiment is below in the comment box
