Here's how it works:
* Baking soda (NaHCO3) is a base.
* Acids like vinegar (acetic acid), lemon juice (citric acid), or buttermilk (lactic acid) are acidic.
* Reaction: When baking soda and an acid are mixed, they react to form carbon dioxide gas (CO2), water (H2O), and a salt.
The chemical equation for the reaction is:
NaHCO3 + H+ → CO2 + H2O + Na+
This release of carbon dioxide is what creates the bubbles in cakes, cookies, and other baked goods. It's also the reason baking soda is used as a leavening agent.
