While there are many compounds that can explode by themselves or when mixed, baking soda and vinegar is likely both the most harmless and one of the most readily available ways to make an "explosion". The reason why you can use this mixture is that combining the two chemicals produces a gas, which has a much larger volume than the two starting materials. If there is no easy way for that gas to escape, pressure will build up and that is what might burst a balloon or propel a baking soda and vinegar rocket.

The reason I put explosion in quotes above is that typically an explosion also involves high temperatures, for example the little explosions that happen in a car engine and make the car move (these are caused by burning a mixture of air and gasoline). The reason I said it is one of the more harmless ways to make an explosion is not meant to make it sound like there is no danger involved. And pressure buildup can lead to a container breaking and sharp pieces flying , and a baking soda vinegar rocket can show you how much power is behind this reaction.

But the pressure buildup tends to be slow enough that you can get a safe distance away and also the starting materials (baking soda and vinegar) are more harmless than other materials that could be used.

There are Lots of ways to make explosions! Baking soda and vinegar is just a safe way to make an explosion with things people have in their kitchens.

No - in fact, baking soda and vinegar don't usually create explosions, just eruptions. An explosion is normally anything that makes a shockwave, from static discharges (including lightning), to detonations of actual explosives (gunpowder, dynamite, TNT). Truly powerful explosions are driven by light, however, not shockwaves, which stretches the definition a bit.

Yes, chemical combinations like hydrogen and oxygen explode when they are at high pressures and at the right ratios . Nitrous oxide (aka laughing gas) and carbon disulfide produce a blue explosion when mixed! The metal potassium explodes when put into water. As you can see, there are so many ways to make explosions. There are also a lot of explosions you can try at home under the supervision of an adult . For example, with warm water, yeast, hydrogen peroxide and food coloring, you can make a colorful toothpaste looking explosion!

Curious question! Baking soda and vinegar are not the only way to cause an explosion. Lots of things explode, but in different ways. All explosions though require releasing lots of energy, very quickly, and generally making lots of gas (like the carbon dioxide bubbles that are made when you put baking soda and vinegar together).

A fun fact: you probably encounter explosions EVERYDAY. One way something explodes, is if it burns, or combusts. For example, inside of a car, there are millions and millions of small explosions happening over the course of one car ride. In a car, fuel (like when someone stops at a gas station to fill up the car) is slowly squirted into little chambers. These chambers has something that causes a small spark to happen (kind of like lighting a match), which starts a small explosion! This small explosion produces gas that pushes up a little lever. This might not seem like a lot, but depending on the car, you could have around 25 explosions per second!

All these explosions add up, and make your car move.

Hope that helps, but definitely don't try to make any explosions without adult supervision!

There are many ways to make an explosion happen. One way is through chemical reactions, just like mixing vinegar and baking soda. A popular example is the use of the chemical nitroglycerin in dynamite. Another way to make explosions happen is by mechanical means (no chemical reactions). For example, you can make a balloon explode by filling it up with too much air.