An impressive chemical reaction

We had to have an important talk about safety before we began today's experiment. This experiment needs to have an adult present. We combined vinegar and baking soda in a plastic soft drink bottle and then pushed a cork in. Oh golly gosh! We stood well back and watched as the cork exploded out of the plastic bottle cannon. When vinegar and baking soda combine, carbon dioxide, sodium acetate and water result. The carbon dioxide takes up lots of space and the bottle is not big enough to hold it all. This makes the cork rocket explode into the air.