Baking Soda Formula, Chemical Name, Preparation, Properties & Uses

Sodium Bicarbonate most Commonly known as baking soda is a chemical compound sodium bicarbonate that is composed of carbon, sodium, oxygen, and hydrogen. The chemical formula for baking soda is (NaHCO3). It is a white crystalline material with a bitter taste and no odor that is a carbonic acid monosodium salt. Baking soda is a common household item. Sodium bicarbonate is also known as baking soda, cooking soda, bread soda, and bicarbonate of soda. In this article, we are going to learn more about Baking Soda, its Formula, Preparation, Properties, and wide range of Uses.

What is Baking Soda?

Sodium Bicarbonate is known as baking soda or Bicarbonate soda. Baking soda is a chemical compound with the Baking soda formula NaHCO3. This salt is formed by a sodium cation (Na+) and a bicarbonate anion (HCO3). Sodium bicarbonate is white in color and is a crystalline substance that is commonly found as a fine powder. It tastes salty and alkaline which is similar to washing soda (Sodium Carbonate). It is found dissolved in many mineral springs and is a component of the mineral natron.

Baking Soda Formula

Baking soda is known as Sodium Bicarbonate, Baking soda formula is NaHCO3. The first quarried natron found by Mediaeval Egyptians was Na2CO3. They generally used it as a soap. In 1971, NaHCO3 was first manufactured by a French chemist named Nicolas LeBlanc.

Several applications of chemistry are being exhibited in every part of households nowadays. It’s very common to find baking soda in kitchens, bathrooms, etc. Baking soda is used mainly as it is very versatile, useful, and cheap cost.

Baking Soda Chemical Name

The Chemical Name of baking soda is Sodium bicarbonate or baking soda or bicarbonate of soda is a chemical compound having the formula NaHCO3. The IUPAC name of Sodium Carbonate is sodium hydrogen carbonate. Sodium bicarbonate is a crystalline white material composed of a sodium cation (Na+) and a bicarbonate anion (HCO3-), and it is commonly found as a fine powder.

Preparation of Baking Soda

Baking soda is prepared by a process called Solvay. The Solvay process is used for the production of sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate. During this process, Carbon dioxide, water, ammonia, and brine solution in its concentrated form are used as raw materials. This process is used as it is inexpensive and fewer raw materials are used to produce the necessary chemicals.

The chemical reactions used for the production of baking soda and sodium carbonate are

CO₂ + H₂O + NH₃  + NaCl → NaHCO3 + Nh₄Cl

2NaHCO₃→Na₂Co₃ + CO₂ + H₂O

Properties of Baking soda

There are several properties of Sodium Bicarbonate and a few of them are listed below.

1. Sodium bicarbonate is basic in nature.
2. It has a melting point of 50°C.
3. It is non-explosive in nature as it is found in powder.
4. It is non-flammable.
5. It is odorless.
6. It is found in white crystalline form.

Baking Soda Uses

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), has various uses in everyday life. Here are some common uses of baking soda:

1. Cooking: Baking soda is commonly used as a leavening agent in baking. When combined with acidic ingredients like vinegar or buttermilk, it produces carbon dioxide gas, which helps dough or batter rise.
2. Cleaning: Baking soda is a natural and non-toxic cleaning agent. It can be used to remove stains, deodorize, and scrub surfaces. For example, it can be used to clean kitchen appliances, sinks, countertops, and bathroom fixtures.
3. Odor removal: Baking soda has odor-absorbing properties, making it effective in eliminating unpleasant odors. It can be used to deodorize refrigerators, shoes, carpets, and pet bedding.
4. Personal care: Baking soda can be used as a natural deodorant by applying a small amount to underarms to neutralize body odor. It is also sometimes used as a toothpaste or mouthwash for its mild abrasive properties.
5. Fire extinguisher: Baking soda can be used as a fire extinguisher for small grease or electrical fires. When applied to a fire, it releases carbon dioxide, which helps smother the flames.
6. Antacid: Baking soda can be used as an antacid to relieve heartburn or indigestion. It works by neutralizing excess stomach acid when ingested with water.
7. Science experiments: Baking soda is often used in science experiments and demonstrations. For example, it can be used to create homemade volcanoes by combining it with vinegar to produce a fizzy eruption.

Baking soda vs Baking powder

Most of them are confused about differentiating between baking soda and baking powder. Let’s Take a look at the differences between Baking Soda and Baking Powder given in the tabular form.

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