Baking Soda - Preparation, Uses, Structure, Properties, FAQs

Chemical Name of Baking Soda

The chemical compound sodium bicarbonate formula, sometimes known as baking soda formula or bicarbonate of baking soda chemical formula, has the formula $\mathrm{NaHCO}_3$. A sodium cation (Na⁺) and a bicarbonate anion $\left(\mathrm{HCO}_3{ }^{-}\right)$ make up this salt. Sodium bicarbonate is a crystalline white substance that frequently appears as a fine powder. It tastes slightly salty and alkaline, similar to washing soda (sodium carbonate). The chemical name of baking soda is sodium hydrogen carbonate.

Nahcolite is the natural mineral form. It is found dissolved in many mineral springs as a component of the mineral natron. Sodium Bicarbonate's common name is baking soda or the chemical name of baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Because of its long history and widespread use, baking soda, bread soda, cooking soda, and bicarbonate of soda are all common names for the salt, which can often be purchased beside baking powder in supermarkets.

Preparation of Baking Soda

The Solvay process is used to make sodium bicarbonate as well as sodium carbonate. Carbon dioxide, water, ammonia, as well as concentrated brine solution are employed as raw materials in this process. The important chemical reaction used in the production of baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) and sodium carbonate is:

$\mathrm{CO}_2+\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}+\mathrm{NH}_3+\mathrm{NaCl} \rightarrow \mathrm{NaHCO}_3+\mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{Cl}$

$2 \mathrm{NaHCO}_3 \rightarrow \mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3+\mathrm{CO}_2+\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$

The carbon dioxide produced is recycled to make $\mathrm{NaHCO}_3$.

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Properties of Baking Soda

• It is non-combustible.
• Powder dust is not as explosive as other types of dust.
• It has a melting point of 500°C and is an odourless white crystalline solid.

• It is basic in nature.

$\mathrm{NaHCO}_3+\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O} \rightarrow \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3+\mathrm{NaOH}$

$\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3 \rightarrow \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}+\mathrm{CO}_2$

The pH of baking soda is 8.3.

• Baking soda is sparingly soluble in water.

• NaHCO₃ crystallizes in a monoclinic crystal lattice.

• When sodium bicarbonate is heated, it decomposes into sodium carbonate, water, and carbon dioxide gas. At temperatures exceeding 80°C, thermal decomposition occurs.

$2 \mathrm{NaHCO}_3 \rightarrow \mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3+\mathrm{CO}_2+\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$

• Baking soda produces carbon dioxide gas when it combines with acids. The following is the chemical reaction that occurs:

$\mathrm{NaHCO}_3+\mathrm{H}^{+} \rightarrow \mathrm{Na}^{+}+\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}+\mathrm{CO}_2$

Baking soda is mined as well as manufactured in factories. In its mineral form, it is called nahcolite.

$\mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3+\mathrm{CO}_2+\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O} \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{NaHCO}_3$

Structure of Baking Soda

• The chemical formula for sodium bicarbonate is NaHCO₃.

• It is made up of the sodium cation (Na⁺) and the bicarbonate anion (HCO₃^-).

• Its lattice structure is monoclinic.

• One sodium atom, one carbon atom, one hydrogen atom, and three oxygen atoms make up this compound.

NCERT Chemistry Notes:

• NCERT Notes Class 11th Chemistry
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Baking Soda Uses

• Baking soda has antifungal and antibacterial properties, making it an excellent natural solution to a variety of aesthetic problems. It is mildly abrasive, so it will exfoliate the face, feet, hands, and body softly.

• Baking soda is used as an antacid to treat indigestion and heartburn. Its fast action reduces stomach acid, providing temporary relief. Its alkaline composition helps to reduce indigestion by neutralising excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

• It is a household wonder chemical that is generally used as a cleaning agent, a cooking component, and a disinfectant.

• It is used to raise flour batter. Baking soda is used to make baking powder, which is made by mixing baking soda with a moderate acid like tartaric acid. In creating bread, cakes, cookies, pancakes, patties, and other baked goods, baking powder is used as a leavening agent (a chemical that releases a gas and causes dough to rise and expand).

• Baking soda can be used as a natural pesticide in the garden to kill dangerous insects and fungi that attack plants. It can be mixed into soil to raise the pH level and make the soil alkaline. Alkaline soils are preferred by several plants.

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Some Solved Examples

Question 1: An ingredient of baking powder is:
1) (correct) $\mathrm{NaHCO}_3$
2)$\mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3$

3) $\mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4$
4) NaCl

Solution: The Common name of Sodium bicarbonate $\left(\mathrm{NaHCO}_3\right)$ is baking powder.
Hence, the answer is option (1).

Question 2: Solvay's process is used for the preparation of sodium carbonate. Which among the following raw materials are used in Solvay's process?
1) (correct) $\mathrm{CaCO}_3, \mathrm{NH}_3, \mathrm{NaCl}$
2) $\mathrm{NaOH}, \mathrm{CO}_2$
3) $\mathrm{NaCl}, \mathrm{CaCO}_3, \mathrm{C}, \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4$
4) $\mathrm{NH}_3, \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{NaCl}$

Solution:

The raw materials used in solvay's process are: $\mathrm{CaCO}_3, \mathrm{NH}_3, \mathrm{NaCl}$

The following reactions take place during solvay's process.

First of all calcium carbonate is heated and decomposed into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.
$\mathrm{CaCO}_3 \rightarrow \mathrm{CaO}+\mathrm{CO}_2$

Ammonia reacts with carbon dioxide to form ammonium carbonate.
$2 \mathrm{NH}_3+\mathrm{CO}_2+\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O} \rightarrow\left(\mathrm{NH}_4\right)_2 \mathrm{CO}_3$

Excess of carbon dioxide is formed to convert ammonium carbonate into ammonium hydrogencarbonate .$\begin{aligned} & \left(\mathrm{NH}_4\right)_2 \mathrm{CO}_3+\mathrm{CaCl}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{CaCO}_3 \downarrow+2 \mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{Cl} \\ & \mathrm{NH}_3+\mathrm{CO}_2+\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O} \rightarrow \mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{HCO}_3\end{aligned}$

Now the ammonium bicarbonate is reacted with sodium chloride. Sodium from sodium chloride replaces ammonia from ammonium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate is formed.
$\mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{HCO}_3+\mathrm{NaCl} \rightarrow \mathrm{NaHCO}_3+\mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{Cl}$

Sodium hydrogencarbonate is obtained from here. It is then further heated to give sodium carbonate i.e. washing soda.$2 \mathrm{NaHCO}_3 \rightarrow \mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3+\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}+\mathrm{CO}_2$

Hence, the answer is option (1).

Question 3: Which one is known as a fusion mixture?
1)$\mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3+\mathrm{NaHCO}_3$

2)$\mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3+\mathrm{NaOH}$

3)$\mathrm{K}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3+\mathrm{K}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4$

4) (correct) $\mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3+\mathrm{K}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3$

Solution:

Fusion mixture is the mixture of potassium carbonate and sodium carbonate.

The mixture is fused with the organic compounds, and various tests for the group analysis are done using this mixture. It is very much effective for the qualitative analysis for the organic compounds for different groups.

Since Na and K belong to the first group, i.e., the alkali metals, which are the most reactive elements in the periodic table. They have the potential to break the covalent bonds formed between the carbon atom and other atoms like nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, halides, etc., and after breaking these covalent bonds, ionic bonds are introduced between the respective atoms and the Na or K in the fusion mixture.

Like with the halides, they form the halides and with sulphur, they form the sulphides, etc.

So, a mixture of sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate is called the fusion mixture.

Hence, the answer is option (4).

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