scientifically, what causes acids and bases to react to eachother the way they do?

Question

how come vinegar and baking soda do that foaming thing?

Answer 1

The equation H+ + OH- <----> H2O lies very heavily to the right. All acid-base reactions have this equation in reality.

Vinegar and baking soda foam because a large amount of carbon dioxide is given off as well:

NaHCO3 + CH3COOH -----> CH3COONa + CO2 + H2O