The Baking Soda and Vinegar Racecar

• The child or children will fill the rear container of the car with vinegar and add baking soda. They will coordinate doing this, as well as closing the lid and placing the car on the ground before the lid pops off. Children can race cars as well as see which proportions of chemicals produce the best results (i.e. fastest speed, greatest distance.)


• The toy is based on the chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar which produces carbon dioxide gas. The gas bubbles and fizzes creating enough pressure to pop the lid off the rear container and propel the car forward.


• Both chemicals are common household items and nontoxic. Parental supervision is recommended.


• Ideally, the chassis and body of the car are manufactured out of a lightweight plastic. The plastic also lends additional durability in the case of any mishaps. It will be inexpensive to construct because the majority of the toy is made of plastic, and a portion of it is hollow.

Liz Schwartz
Carnegie Mellon University
February 3, 2009