Isaac Newton’s third law of motion states: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This principle is elegantly demonstrated in this experiment using the reaction between baking soda and vinegar. These ingredients produce carbon dioxide gas, which builds up pressure inside the bottle. Eventually, the pressure becomes significant enough to eject the cork, propelling it forward like a cannonball fired from a cannon. At the same time, the bottle is pushed backward with an equal but opposite force, showcasing Newton's law in action. This dramatic and hands-on demonstration captures the essence of balanced forces and reactive motion.
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Sodium hydrogen carbonate is the scientific name for baking soda. In the upper left corner of this image, you see a “ball and stick model” of this compound baking soda. Each ball represents an atom, while the sticks signify the bonds connecting them. The periodic table contains 118 unique types of atoms or elements—an arrow pointing from the atoms to the symbols of its element on the periodic table.
Baking soda, scientifically known as sodium hydrogen carbonate, has the chemical formula NaHCO₃. In the model, different colors represent different elements: purple balls denote sodium (Na), red balls represent oxygen (O), dark gray balls signify carbon (C), and light gray balls indicate hydrogen (H). These atoms form a cluster in a specific ratio: one sodium atom, one hydrogen atom, one carbon atom, and three oxygen atoms, to create the compound NaHCO₃. This compound, known as baking soda, is a crucial component in rocket fuel for launching the rocket.