It's not quite that simple! While chemical reactions can *produce* gas, which could inflate a balloon, a balloon itself doesn't directly inflate due to a chemical reaction. Here's a breakdown:

What you're probably thinking of:

* Baking soda and vinegar: This classic science experiment produces carbon dioxide gas, which inflates a balloon. The chemical reaction is between sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and acetic acid (vinegar).

* Yeast and sugar: This reaction creates carbon dioxide through the process of fermentation. The yeast consumes sugar and releases carbon dioxide as a byproduct.

Why it's not just "chemical reaction":

* Balloon material: The balloon needs to be made of a flexible material that can stretch to accommodate the increasing volume of gas.

* Gas production: The chemical reaction needs to produce a gas that will build up pressure inside the balloon.

* Containment: The balloon needs to be sealed to prevent the gas from escaping.

So, it's more accurate to say:

A balloon can be inflated by a chemical reaction that produces a gas, which then fills the balloon and creates pressure to expand it.