Perhaps in every home kitchen there is soda - a plain box with a powdery substance. Housewives use it as a cooking supplement for baking. However, the scope of its application is so wide that the substance can be safely called the universal assistant of man. But what is soda? In what forms does it exist and how is it used in everyday life?
Soda names
Before moving on to the chemical properties of soda, it is worth mentioning that its name is “soda”, the substance received from the name of the plant soda-liquor, ash of which was the source of soda production.
In chemistry, soda is the generalized name for the sodium salts of carbonic acid:
- Na 2 CO 3 (sodium carbonate) - the chemical formula of soda ash;
- Na 2 CO 3 · 10H 2 O - household soda;
- NaHCO 3 - baking soda. This is the chemical formula of drinking soda;
- Na 2 CO 3 · H 2 O or Na 2 CO 3 · 7H 2 O is the chemical formula of crystalline soda.
In everyday life, as well as in the chemical industry, there are several trivial names of substances:
- baking soda;
- baking soda;
- sodium bicarbonate;
- additive E500;
- sodium decahydrate.
Empirical formula
The chemical formula of baking soda is NaHCO 3 . It is an acid salt of carbonic acid. If we add the atomic weights of all its constituent elements, we get the atomic mass of soda, equal to 84 a. e.
The method of its formation is very simple. The chemical formula of baking soda is the complex interaction of sodium hydroxide with carbonic acid:
NaOH + H 2 CO 3 = NaHCO 3 + H 2 O.
In the field of chemistry, sodium bicarbonate is a complex of sodium cation and bicarbonate anion. When these elements are introduced into the body, they normalize the acid-base balance, neutralizing excess acids contained in the liquid medium.
Soda ash
The chemical formula of soda ash is Na2CO3. Soda ash is a white, free-flowing substance that can be presented in the form of granules (A) or powder (B).
This type of soda has a number of features that distinguish soda ash from baking soda.
- pH of the medium. Both baking soda and soda ash are alkali, but the first is weak, with pH = 8, and the second is strong, with pH = 11. The chemical formula of technical soda also indicates the nature of the medium.
- Application area. Baking soda is used in food, cosmetology and medicine. Calcined is used as an effective cleaning agent.
In the household, using soda ash you can:
- do laundry using it as a laundry detergent;
- to wash the floors, but for a laminate and parquet this product will not work, as it can ruin the coating;
- eliminate pipe blockages;
- clean faience products.
When using soda ash, you need to be extremely careful, since the substance is very toxic, belonging to the third group of dangerous substances.
Physical properties of baking soda
Sodium bicarbonate is a white powdery substance. This is a complex of elements of sodium, hydrogen, carbon and oxygen.
The density of the powder is 2.16 g / cm 3 .
At temperature indices of +50 –60 , the substance begins to melt.
Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is presented in the form of a milky powder. It is highly soluble in the aquatic environment. Does not burn. The chemical formula of drinking soda is the same as that of baking soda.
Soda solution
Baking soda is a substance that is completely soluble in water, resulting in a soda solution. It is used for hygienic purposes as a means of rinsing the oral cavity.
The chemical formula of a soda solution is as follows:
NaHCO 3 + H 2 O = H 2 CO 3 + NaOH.
An aqueous solution of soda is endowed with a slightly alkaline character.
Sodium bicarbonate in an aqueous solution dissociates with the formation of the following ions:
Na 2 CO 3 ↔ 2Na + + CO3 2-
Properties of soda as alkali
As has been repeatedly mentioned, sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline substance. This fact affects the use of soda as a means to neutralize the increased acidity of the body, in particular the stomach. The elements that make up the substance have a safe effect.
Soda increases the efficiency of the kidneys, since the excreted urine has an alkaline environment. In addition, it retains the required amount of glutamine AK in the body, which prevents the appearance of stone formations in the kidneys.
Alkaline environment helps the better absorption of certain B vitamins: B1, B4, B5, B6 and B12.
When soda is used for good absorption, it is combined with hot milk. This contributes to the fact that in the departments of the small intestine soda interacts with the amino acids of milk, as a result of which sodium salts of amino acids with an alkaline nature appear. These amino acids penetrate the bloodstream much better than soda, thereby increasing the body's alkaline reserves.
Caustic soda
The chemical formula of caustic soda is NaOH. Structural formula: Na - O - H.
The molecular weight of the substance is made up of the atomic weights of its constituent components Na, O, and H. It is 40.
Caustic is highly soluble in water.
In industry, the following names apply to this type of soda:
- sodium hydroxide;
- sodium hydroxide;
- sodium oxide hydrate.
When working with caustic soda, it is necessary to use protective elements of clothing, since when it comes into contact with the skin, it leaves severe burns.
Soda in a complex with vinegar
The chemical formula of vinegar and soda is a quenching reaction in which water, carbon dioxide and a salt of acetic acid are formed.
This chemical "experience" is accompanied by a characteristic hiss, which indicates the onset of "burning" of soda.
This reaction is carried out in the culinary business, when they intend to knead the dough for baking. Vinegar for this is taken at a concentration of 9%. Lemon juice, apple or wine vinegar can serve as an analogue of the acid.
So why carry out this reaction in the preparation of the dough? The thing is that the carbon dioxide resulting from the decomposition of soda gives the test splendor.
Receiving a substance
Once soda was extracted from the ash of a soda-bearing plant. Currently, the basis for this substance is natural sodium sulfate. The production reaction is as follows, where the chemical formula of soda is displayed on the right side:
Na 2 SO 4 + 3C + 2O 2 = 2Na 2 CO 3 + CO 2 + 2SO 2 ;
CaCO 3 + C + Na 2 SO 4 = Na 2 CO 3 + 4CO + CaS.
The use of baking soda
Soda is very popular in everyday life, and not only as a culinary component. But consider in more detail the cases where soda is used.
- To begin with, it is worth mentioning once again that soda is a food component in the culinary business. Its use is not accidental: when heated, the substance is capable of emitting carbon dioxide vapors, which, in turn, gives the test airiness. In this case, soda acts as a baking powder. But if you buy a bag in a store with a confectionery baking powder, then on the packaging in the composition line you can find the presence of soda, which is designated as food supplement E500.
- Use baking soda and for the production of carbonated drinks.
- Very often, soda is used in the so-called "folk" medicine. In this area, soda acts as a panacea for almost any ailments, for example, its effectiveness has been proven for heartburn, cough, sore throat, stomach, and fever.
- Baking soda also proved to be good as a cleaning agent. You can use it for cleaning plumbing, aluminum pots, dishes, carpets, silver and for washing clothes. The substance has a good disinfectant and antifungal agent.
- Many women use soda for both cosmetic and hygiene purposes. It can be used as a skin scrub. The tool will perfectly relieve coarsened skin of the feet, if used for foot baths. With its help, you can get rid of the smell of sweat both in the armpits and in shoes.
Soda will also help in whitening teeth. This is an inexpensive but effective way. Soda powder is mixed with toothpaste or water, and the teeth are brushed with gentle movements.
Caustic Soda: Application
The use of this type of soda should be accompanied by certain safety measures, since caustic soda is a strong alkali that can “corrode” many types of surfaces.
Why can a caustic agent be useful in everyday life?
- Caustic perfectly copes with various contaminants on the dishes. But you should refrain from using this tool for aluminum and Teflon products. But for the rest of the pots, pans or baking sheets - please. Sludge, scale, old layers of fat - the caustic can easily cope with all this.
- Caustic soda can solve the problem of clogged pipes. You just need to pour the granular substance into the pipe and leave for a while, then rinse with running water.
Caustic soda, aka caustic soda, is widely used on an industrial level in various fields of production.
- In construction. Here, the substance is used for the manufacture of certain types of building materials, and also serves as an additional component that strengthens the fundamental basis of structures.
- In the food industry. Caustic soda is also applicable in the manufacture of food products. Of course, in this case it is used in low concentration. With her participation, cocoa powders and chocolate, ice cream, caramel are produced in bread baking, it is used as an additive E524.
- Textile industry. In this area, caustic soda is applicable for bleaching fabrics and for the regeneration of rubber products.
- Chemical production: caustic soda is used as an acid neutralizer, a means for refining oil and products based on it. The production of industrial oils is also not without the addition of caustic soda. In addition, caustic soda is a good catalyst for certain chemical reactions.
- Caustic soda is also suitable for soap making in the production of various types of soaps, shampoos and gels.
Soda Ash: Use
Soda ash is also called linen. This tool was especially popular in the Soviet Union, therefore, it can be argued: linen soda is time-tested.
The tool is used in the following situations:
- While washing things.
- When cleaning surfaces of tiles, ceramics, earthenware.
- When removing clogging in pipes.
- To eliminate scale in the drums of washing machines, as well as on dishes.
- For the destruction of harmful insects in the gardens.
From the foregoing, the conclusion suggests itself: soda is a universal remedy used in most areas of both household and industrial life.
A positive quality of the substance is that it can be purchased for mere pennies.