Question

Explain why using a base such as baking soda is effective in cleaning up a spill of acid, such as vinegar, in the kitchen

Answer 1

This is because the base will react with the acid spill to form water and salt that is easier to clean. When a base is mixed with an acid, the basic reaction is;

Acid + Base - Salt + Water

The salt dissolves in the water( and exists in aqueous form) and washes off with ease.