Mix a Solid & Liquid to Make a Gas

Here's a simple demonstration you can do to illustrate the phases of matter and how chemical reactions can change them. Gather together an empty 20-oz plastic soft drink bottle, a small balloon, vinegar, and baking soda. Pour about a half inch of vinegar into the bottle. Put 2 teaspoons of baking soda into the balloon. You may want to use a funnel to make it easier to get the baking soda into the balloon (you can make one by rolling a sheet of paper). Shake the baking soda into the body of the balloon. Stretch the mouth of the balloon over the top of the bottle, being careful to avoid getting baking soda into the bottle. Lift the balloon so the baking soda falls into the bottle. Shake the bottle. What happened? Did the balloon inflate? Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a base and vinegar contains an acid (acetic acid). When the solid base and the liquid acid react, they neutralize each other to form liquid water and carbon dioxide gas. The release of carbon dioxide increases the pressure of the gases in the bottle (air plus the added carbon dioxide) and inflates the balloon.

Phase Changes Quiz | Liquid Elements

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