Question

What is baking soda? Write the chemical name of baking soda. Give the important uses of baking soda. How does baking soda differ chemically from washing soda?

Answer 1

Baking soda is a sodium salt used for speeding up the cooking of foodstuff such as various pulses. The chemical name of baking soda is sodium hydrogencarbonate (NaHCO₃), also called sodium bicarbonate.

Uses:

• Baking soda is used in fire extinguishers.
• It is an ingredient, used in preparing baking powder, which is used in baking cakes, breads, etc.
• It is used as an antacid to remove acidity in the stomach.

Washing soda, or sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃.10H₂O), consists of two sodium atoms attached to a carbonate group with 10 molecules of water of crystallisation, whereas baking soda comprises one atom of sodium and one of hydrogen, attached to a carbonate group. Hence, baking soda (NaHCO₃) differs from washing soda (Na₂CO₃) by one hydrogen atom. When baking soda is heated up at high temperatures, it breaks down to form sodium carbonate, water vapour and carbon dioxide.