Question

Name the substance which liberates Carbon dioxide from Sodium carbonate.

Answer 1

Sodium carbonate $\left({\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3\right)$ is a metal carbonate. Usually, there is a reaction between metal carbonate and acids to produce water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$, Carbon dioxide $\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$ and Metal carbonate. An acid can be used for liberating Carbon dioxide $\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$ from Sodium carbonate $\left({\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3\right)$. When a solution of Sodium carbonate $\left({\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3\right)$ reacts with dilute Hydrochloric acid $\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$, then Carbon dioxide $\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$ is released. The other products are Sodium chloride $\left(\mathrm{NaCl}\right)$ and Water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$.

The balanced chemical reaction is shown as:

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+2\mathrm{HCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to 2\mathrm{NaCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right) \\ \mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{Hydrochloric}\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{Water}\mathrm{Carbon} \\ \mathrm{carbonate}\mathrm{acid}\mathrm{chloride}\mathrm{dioxide} \end{gathered}$$

Thus, Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is the substance that liberates carbon dioxide from sodium carbonate.