What is Sodium Bicarbonate?
Sodium bicarbonate or Sodium hydrogen carbonate has a monoclinic crystalline structure. Nicolas Leblanc a French chemist produced sodium carbonate in the year 1791. In the year 1846 Austin Church and John Dwight, bakers of New York started the first factory to produce baking soda. It is a white solid crystalline chemical compound usually in its powder form. This salt is composed of sodium ions and bicarbonate ions. Its molecular formula is NaHCO3. It is a weak base. It is commonly called as baking soda and is used in cooking. PH value is about 8.31.
Properties of Sodium Bicarbonate
| Sodium bicarbonate Chemical formula | NaHCO3 |
| Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass | 84.0066 g/ mol |
| Density | Solids: 2.20 g/cm3 Powder: 1.1 – 1.3 |
| Boiling Point | 851 °C |
| Melting Point | 50 °C |
A few other important properties of sodium hydrogen carbonate are listed below.
- NaHCO3 has a white, crystalline appearance.
- This compound is insoluble in ethanol and slightly soluble in methanol and acetone.
- At a temperature of 20 degrees celsius, the solubility of this compound in water corresponds to 96 grams per litre.
- Sodium bicarbonate crystallizes in a monoclinic crystal lattice.
Sodium Bicarbonate Structure (NaHCO3)
Sodium bicarbonate molecules feature one sodium cation and one bicarbonate anion. Here, an ionic bond is formed between the positively charged sodium ion and the negatively charged oxygen (which is singly bonded to the central carbon and not bonded to a hydrogen atom).
Uses of Sodium Bicarbonate
- It is used as pest control to kill co*ckroaches and controlling fungal growth
- It is used as a disinfectant
- It is used to protect armpits from bad smell and irritation
- It is used in cooking especially to bake food items
- It is used in medicine to be injected intravenously to the prevention of chemotherapy side effects
- It is used to wash kitchen products due to its antibacterial properties
- It is used to have clean teeth and mouth
Learn more about the chemical behaviour and importance of Sodium bicarbonate with the expert faculties at BYJU’S.
FAQs
NaHCO3 has a white, crystalline appearance. This compound is insoluble in ethanol and slightly soluble in methanol and acetone. At a temperature of 20 degrees celsius, the solubility of this compound in water corresponds to 96 grams per litre. Sodium bicarbonate crystallizes in a monoclinic crystal lattice.
What are the properties and uses of sodium bicarbonate? ›
It is a white, odourless, fine powder with poor water solubility and excellent acid neutralisation properties. Baking soda has foaming and raising properties. It turns into sodium carbonate at a high temperature (approx. 180-200°C).
What is the purpose of using sodium bicarbonate solution NaHCO3 in the experiment? ›
The purpose of making this solution is that the bicarbonate serves as a source of carbon dioxide, which the leaf disks require, along with water and light energy, to undergo photosynthesis.
What does sodium bicarbonate do to your body? ›
Sodium bicarbonate's ability to neutralize acid helps treat conditions related to high acidity in bodily fluids, such as indigestion, which is caused by too much acid in the stomach. People commonly use sodium bicarbonate for indigestion.
What is the structure of the bicarbonate? ›
Sodium bicarbonate (IUPAC name: sodium hydrogencarbonate), commonly known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3. It is a salt composed of a sodium cation (Na+) and a bicarbonate anion (HCO3−).
What are the properties and uses of sodium carbonate? ›
Pure sodium carbonate is a white, odourless powder that is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air). It has a strongly alkaline taste, and forms a moderately basic solution in water. Sodium carbonate is well known domestically for its everyday use as a water softener.
What are four uses for sodium bicarbonate? ›
People take sodium bicarbonate by mouth for bowel cleansing, poor kidney function, indigestion, exercise performance, high potassium in the blood, reviving newborns, stomach ulcers, and urinary stones.
What is bicarbonate of soda used for? ›
Bicarbonate of soda, or baking soda, is an alkali which is used to raise soda breads and full-flavoured cakes such as gingerbread, fruit cake, chocolate cake and carrot cake. It needs an acid (as well as moisture) to activate it so is often combined with cream of tartar, yogurt, buttermilk or milk.
What household item is NaHCO3? ›
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is an alkaline powder. It is a common household product with a wide range of uses including cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene.
What organ does bicarbonate affect? ›
Bicarbonate is excreted and reabsorbed by your kidneys. This regulates your body's pH, or acid balance.
A 2021 review found that sodium bicarbonate may help slow the decline of kidney function and significantly improve vascular endothelial function (blood flow) in people with CKD. Another 2022 study examined the use of sodium bicarbonate treatment in people with late stage CKD and metabolic acidosis.
What happens if you have too much sodium bicarbonate in your body? ›
In metabolic alkalosis there is excess of bicarbonate in the body fluids. It can occur in a variety of conditions. It may be due to digestive issues, like repeated vomiting, that disrupt the blood's acid-base balance. It can also be due to complications of conditions affecting the heart, liver and kidneys.
What is sodium bicarbonate mostly used for? ›
Sodium bicarbonate , also known as baking soda, is used to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, or acid indigestion by neutralizing excess stomach acid. When used for this purpose, it is said to belong to the group of medicines called antacids. It may be used to treat the symptoms of stomach or duodenal ulcers.
Is sodium bicarbonate the same as baking soda? ›
Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate, a fine white powder that has many uses. You may wonder about bicarbonate of soda vs. baking soda, but they are simply alternate terms for the same ingredient. If your recipe calls for bicarbonate of soda, it is simply referring to baking soda.
What is the home use of sodium bicarbonate? ›
Baking soda is a versatile ingredient whose uses extend far beyond cooking. This household staple shines when it comes to neutralizing odors and cleaning, as it helps remove tough stains, eliminate foul odors, and clean difficult areas like the oven, microwave, and tile grout.
