Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

Sodium bicarbonate is also known as Baking Soda. Baking soda’s chemical formula is NaHCO₃.

Sodium Bicarbonate is another name for baking soda. Natron, a natural deposit mostly composed of Na₂CO₃, was first quarried by the Medieval Egyptians. It was used as soap. Nicolas Leblanc, a French chemist, created NaHCO₃ for the first time in 1790. In 1846, John Dwight and Austin Church established a baking soda manufacturing plant employing sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide.

Various chemistry applications can be found in every room of the house, including the bathroom, kitchen, and so on. Sodium bicarbonate is one such substance, which is widely utilised due to its versatility, utility, and low cost.

Sodium Bicarbonate Formula

Sodium Bicarbonate is also known as Baking Soda. The chemical formula of Sodium Bicarbonate or Baking Soda is NaHCO₃.

Preparation of Sodium Bicarbonate: Solvay Process

Ernest Solvay, an Italian chemist developed this method in 1861 to produce sodium bicarbonate. The steps following the formation of sodium bicarbonate are given below,

Production of Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate

In the industrial world, the Solvay process is used to make sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate. Carbon dioxide, water, ammonia, and concentrated brine solution are employed as raw materials in this process. This method is preferred because it is less expensive and requires fewer raw resources to create the required chemicals. Baking soda and sodium carbonate are made through a chemical reaction that goes like this,

CO₂ + H₂O + NH₃ + NaCl → NaHCO₃ + NH₄Cl

2 NaHCO₃ → Na₂CO₃ + CO₂ + H₂O

The carbon dioxide that is created is recycled to make NaHCO₃.

Properties of Sodium Bicarbonate

Various properties of Sodium Bicarbonate are,

• It is non-combustible.
• Powder dust isn’t as explosive as other types of dust.
• It has a melting point of 50°C.
• NaHCO₃ is a crystalline white substance with no odour.
• It is fundamental in nature.

Uses of Sodium Bicarbonate

Various uses of Sodium Bicarbonate are discussed below in this article,

• Reduces stomach acidity and acts as an antacid to relieve stomach discomfort and indigestion.
• As a water softener, it is used in the washing process.
• It is utilised in fire extinguishers because it produces soapy foam.
• Acts as a pesticide by removing dirt from materials without affecting their properties.
• Carbon dioxide is produced (due to the decomposition of NaHCO₃), which aids in the rising of dough in the baking industry.
• It’s found in ear drops, cosmetics, and other personal care items.
• It’s utilised to counteract the effects of acid by acting as a neutralizer.

Read, More

• Some Important Compounds of Sodium
• Some Important Compounds of Calcium
• Acids, Bases and Salts

Plaster of Paris, Baking Soda and Washing Soda are a few compounds which are widely used in our daily life. Sodium bicarbonate commonly known as baking soda is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO₃. Sodium carbonate commonly known as washing soda is a chemical compound with the formula Na₂CO₃. Calcium Sulphate Hemihydrate commonly known as Plaster of Paris is a chemical compound with the formula CaSO₄.1/2H₂O.

In this article, we will learn about Plaster of Paris, Baking Soda and Washing Soda, its preparation, properties, and uses in detail.