Inflating a Balloon

Today we set out to inflate a balloon. We gathered three identical soft drink bottles.

In the first we placed tap water. In the second we placed vinegar and in the third we placed soda water.

Next we filled three balloons with three table spoons of baking soda.

Finally, we fixed each balloon to a bottle and watched for a reaction.

The combination of vinegar and baking soda caused a chemical reaction which resulted in a gas that rose to inflate the balloon.