Ask A Scientist© Chemistry Archive

name         Sarah
status       student
age          17

Question -   Is the reaction between baking soda and vinegar a
combustion reaction?
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No.  Combustion is an oxidation-reduction reaction;  the reaction between
baking soda and vinegar is an acid-base reaction followed by the dissolution
of a gas.

HOAc + NaHCO3 --> NaOAc + H2CO3

H2CO3 --> H2O + CO2(gas)

Here, "Ac" is an abreviation for acetate, CH3CO2.

Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
Assistant Director
PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois
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No, it's an acid-base reaction followed by a decomposition reaction.

prof. topper
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