Table of Contents
- What is washing soda (Na2CO3.10H2O)
- Recommended Videos
- Solvay Process- Preparation of Sodium Carbonate
- Physical properties and chemical properties of sodium carbonate:
- Uses of Washing Soda:
- Frequently asked questions
What is washing soda (Na2CO3.10H2O)?
Washing soda is a chemical compound with the formula Na2CO3.10H2O. It is an inorganic hydrate of sodium carbonate. It was extracted from the ashes of plants growing in sodium-rich soils and hence the name soda ash. It is a white crystalline solid and a metal carbonate which is soluble in water.
Recommended Videos
Solvay Process- Preparation of Sodium Carbonate
The steps involved in the manufacture of sodium carbonate are explained below:
- Purification of Brine
- Formation of sodium hydrogen carbonate
- Formation of sodium carbonate
- Recovery of ammonia
Step 1: Purification of Brine
A highly concentrated water solution of common salt is known as a brine solution. Concentrated brine is obtained by the process of evaporation and impurities like calcium, magnesium, etc are removed by the precipitation process. The concentrated brine solution undergoes filtration and is mixed with ammonia in the ammonia tower and the ammonia tower gets cooled.
Step 2: Formation of sodium hydrogen carbonate
In a carbonate tower, carbon dioxide is passed through an ammoniated brine solution.
NH3(aq) + CO2(g) + NaCl(aq) +H2O → NaHCO3(s) + NH4Cl(aq)
Step 3: Formation of sodium carbonate
Sodium Bicarbonate formed is heated to 300°C to get sodium carbonate.
2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
Step 4: Recovery of ammonia
Ammonia can be recovered by treating the solution of NH4Cl with Ca (OH)2. This ammonia is again used in the Solvay process and CaCl2 is obtained as a by-product.
2NH4Cl + Ca(OH)2 → 2NH3 + CaCl2 + H2O
Physical properties and chemical properties of sodium carbonate:
- It is a crystalline solid which is white.
- It exists as a monohydrated salt (Na2CO3.H2O), anhydrous salt (Na2CO3), heptahydrate salt (Na2CO3.7H2O) and decahydrate salt (Na2CO3.10H2O).
- Sodium carbonate is basic in nature.
- It has a melting point of 851°C.
- In the presence of heat, it loses its water to form an anhydrous salt (soda ash).
Na2CO3.10H2O → Na2CO3.H2O → Na2CO3 (at 373 K)
Uses of Washing Soda:
- Used as a cleansing agent in industries and households.
- It finds its application in paper, textile, soap, and detergent industries.
- It is used in the process of softening water.
- It is used in the manufacturing of glass.
- It is one of the most important agents in laundries.
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Frequently asked questions
1. What is the chemical formula for washing soda?
Ans: Na2CO3.10H2O
2. What is the other name for washing soda?
ans: Soda ash.
3. What is the name of the process from which sodium carbonate is obtained?
Ans: Solvay process.
4. Mention the four steps involved in the preparation of sodium carbonate.
Ans: The four steps involved in the preparation of sodium carbonate are:
- Purification of Brine
- Formation of sodium hydrogen carbonate
- Formation of sodium carbonate
- Recovery of ammonia
5. List two uses of washing soda.
Ans: It is used in the process of softening the water and the paper industry.
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