Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate (Baking Soda)

📚 Key Concepts

🔹 Real-Life Example

When you bake a cake, baking soda is the magic ingredient that makes it fluffy and light. When heated, it releases carbon dioxide gas, creating bubbles that make the cake rise. It’s also used as an antacid to neutralize excess stomach acid and as a cleaning agent.

Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate (NaHCO₃): Also known as baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, or bread soda. It’s a white crystalline solid that’s mildly basic in nature.

🧪 Preparation and Reactions

🔸 Solvay Process NaCl + CO₂ + NH₃ + H₂O → NaHCO₃ + NH₄Cl

🔸 Thermal Decomposition 2NaHCO₃ + Heat → Na₂CO₃ + CO₂ + H₂O

🔸 Reaction with Acids NaHCO₃ + HCl → NaCl + CO₂ + H₂O

🧪 Properties and Uses

🔸 Properties

• White crystalline powder
• Sparingly soluble in water
• Decomposes on heating above 300°C
• Mild alkali (pH ~8-9)

🔸 Uses

• Baking industry (leavening agent)
• Antacid for treating acidity
• Fire extinguishers
• Cleaning agent
• Toothpaste (removes plaque)

🔍 Advanced: Baking Powder vs Baking Soda

Baking powder is a mixture of baking soda and a mild acid (usually tartaric acid). This prevents the bitter taste that pure baking soda would give to cakes.