Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
What is the chemical name of baking soda?
Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium carbonate
Sodium chloride
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium bicarbonate
Baking soda is the common name for sodium bicarbonate, a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3тАЛ. It is a white crystalline solid that is commonly used as a leavening agent in baking and as a mild antacid to relieve heartburn.
Baking soda is the common name for sodium bicarbonate, a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3тАЛ. It is a white crystalline solid that is commonly used as a leavening agent in baking and as a mild antacid to relieve heartburn.
Think of baking soda as a tiny carbon dioxide generator locked inside a powder; when you add moisture and an acid like lemon juice or yogurt, it instantly fizzes and puffs up like a balloon.
Baking soda is Bi-carbonate (Bi means two, but here think 'Baking soda = Bicarbonate').
NaHCO3тАЛ тАФ Chemical formula of sodium bicarbonate (Baking soda)
Na2тАЛCO3тАЛ тАФ Chemical formula of sodium carbonate (Washing soda)
When sodium bicarbonate is heated or reacts with an acid, it decomposes to release carbon dioxide gas (CO2тАЛ). In baking, this released carbon dioxide gas gets trapped in the batter, causing doughs and batters to rise and become light and porous.
Sodium bicarbonate is amphoteric, meaning it can act as both an acid and a base.
It is produced industrially via the Solvay process.
Thermal decomposition of sodium bicarbonate yields sodium carbonate, water, and carbon dioxide.
Acts as an effective leavening agent in culinary applications
Useful as a safe, mild household cleaning agent and antacid
Excessive consumption can lead to systemic alkalosis
May impart a bitter taste if used in too large a quantity without sufficient acid
Used in baking powders and as a leavening agent
Used in fire extinguishers of the soda-acid type
Used in medicine as an antacid for indigestion
Option B (Sodium carbonate) is washing soda with the formula Na2тАЛCO3тАЛтЛЕ10H2тАЛO.
Option C (Sodium chloride) is common table salt with the formula NaCl.
Option D (Sodium hydroxide) is caustic soda with the formula NaOH, a strong base.
A is correct тАФ The chemical name of baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, represented by the formula NaHCO3тАЛ.
Questions frequently test the difference between baking soda (NaHCO3тАЛ) and washing soda (Na2тАЛCO3тАЛ). Make sure to memorize their water of crystallization and chemical names clearly for RRB exams.