Question

Explain the following with a suitable reason:

Washing soda loses its weight when exposed to atmosphere.

Answer 1

Washing soda loses its weight when exposed to the atmosphere

Reason:

• Washing soda is efflorescent salt.
• So when it is exposed to the atmosphere, it loses its water of crystallisation and so it loses its weight.

Efflorescence:

• The phenomenon in which a compound loses its water of crystallisation on exposure to dry air is called efflorescence and substances are said to be efflorescent substances.
• Due to this phenomenon hydrated salts when left exposed to the atmosphere lose their water of crystallisation and crumble down to form a powder.
• The higher the temperature of the air, the higher the efflorescence. This is due to the air absorbing more water with an increase in temperature and decrease in moisture.