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Which of the following compounds is primarily used in the synthesis of glass and as a water softener in detergents?
Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium carbonate
Calcium oxychloride
Calcium sulfate
Sodium carbonate
Sodium carbonate (commonly known as washing soda or soda ash) is widely used in the industrial synthesis of glass and acts as an effective water softener by removing permanent hardness. It precipitates dissolved calcium and magnesium ions from hard water as insoluble carbonates.
Sodium carbonate (commonly known as washing soda or soda ash) is widely used in the industrial synthesis of glass and acts as an effective water softener by removing permanent hardness. It precipitates dissolved calcium and magnesium ions from hard water as insoluble carbonates.
Think of sodium carbonate as a trap that grabs unwanted minerals out of hard water, clearing the way for soap to lather effectively.
S-C-G: Soda Carbonate for Glass and Softening.
Na2тАЛCO3тАЛ тАФ Sodium carbonate (Washing soda / Soda ash)
Ca2++CO32тИТтАЛтЖТCaCO3тАЛ тАФ Precipitation of hardness-causing ions
As a water softener, sodium carbonate introduces carbonate ions (CO32тИТтАЛ), which react with calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) ions present in hard water to form insoluble precipitates like calcium carbonate (CaCO3тАЛ). In glass manufacturing, it acts as a flux that lowers the melting point of silica.
Sodium carbonate is commercially produced via the Solvay process.
It is referred to as soda ash in its anhydrous form and washing soda as the decahydrate (Na2тАЛCO3тАЛтЛЕ10H2тАЛO).
It removes permanent hardness of water by precipitation rather than ion exchange.
Lowers the melting point of silica, saving energy in glass making
Effectively removes permanent hardness from water
Excess usage can make water overly alkaline and damage fabrics over time
Manufacture of glass, soap, and paper
Laundry detergents as a water softener
Textile processing and petroleum refining
Chemical formula for washing soda is Na2тАЛCO3тАЛтЛЕ10H2тАЛO.
Option A (Sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3тАЛ) is baking soda, used in antacids and fire extinguishers.
Option C (Calcium oxychloride, CaOCl2тАЛ) is bleaching powder, used for disinfection.
Option D (Calcium sulfate, CaSO4тАЛ) is used in making plaster of paris and drywall.
B is correct тАФ Sodium carbonate is a key raw material for glass production and acts as a water softener by precipitating hardness-causing ions.
Remember the distinction between washing soda (Na2тАЛCO3тАЛ) and baking soda (NaHCO3тАЛ), as competitive exams like RRBJE frequently test their chemical formulas and distinct uses.
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