how would you distinguish between baking powder and washing soda by heaing?
Regards,
Kunal Mishra
Baking powder:-
- It is a mixture of edible acid-like tartaric acid Sodium hydrogen carbonate.
- It is commonly used in cake-making, as it is a raising agent.
- It is made up of an alkali, Bicarbonate of soda, acid, cream of tartar, and a filler like cornflour or rice flour, that absorbs moisture.
- Carbon dioxide is produced and bubbles are formed that cause the mixture to expand, as the powder is activated when liquid is added.
- It has a chemical formula of NaHCO3
Washing soda:-
- Washing soda is a whitish and odourless powder in nature.
- Its chemical formula is Sodium bicarbonateNa2CO3
- It absorbs moisture in the air as it is hygroscopic.
- It creates a strongly alkaline water solution, as it is extremely soluble in water.
Distinguish between Baking powder and Washing soda:-
- When baking soda is heated, Sodium bicarbonate, carbon dioxide, and water vapor is formed.
- The Carbon dioxide, extinguishes a blazing matchstick quickly.
- The complete reaction is:
2NaHCO3(s)Sodiumhydrogencarbonate→HeatNa2CO3(s)Sodiumbicarbonate+CO2(g)+H2O(g)Water
- When Washing soda is heated, it does not produce Carbon dioxide, but loses water of crystallization.
- the complete reaction is:
Na2CO3.10H2O(s)Sodiumbicarbonate→HeatNa2CO3(s)Sodiumbicarbonate+10H2O(g)Water
Therefore, when baking powder NaHCO3 and washing powder Na2CO3 are both heated, baking powder produces Carbon dioxide but washing soda does not.