How a Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano Works

The baking soda and vinegar volcano is a popular science project, but the science part of the project involves explaining how the reaction models a real volcano or explaining the science behind the reaction that produces the lava. In a nutshell, the reaction between baking soda and vinegar produces sodium acetate, water, and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is trapped by detergent to form bubbly lava, which flows down the side of the model because carbon dioxide is more dense than air. However, sometimes you'll want to explain or write the chemical reactions that occur to produce the carbon dioxide. Here's a look at ways to write the reactions.