Baking soda (NaHCO3 )

Baking soda (NaHCO₃ )
The baking soda is commonly used in the kitchen for making tasty crispy pakoras, etc. Sometimes it is added for faster cooking. The chemical name of the compound is sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO₃ ). It is produced using sodium chloride as one of the raw materials.
NaCl + H₂ O + CO₂ + NH₃ → NH₄ Cl + NaHCO₃
(Ammonium (Sodium
chloride) hydrogen carbonate)
It is a mild non-corrosive basic salt. The following reaction takes place when it is heated during cooking –
2NaHCO₃ + Heat → Na₂ CO₃ + H₂ O + CO₂
(Sodium (Sodium
hydrogen carbonate) carbonate)
Sodium hydrogen carbonate has got various uses in the household.

Uses of Baking soda

(i) For making baking powder, which is a mixture of baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) and a mild edible acid such as tartaric acid. When baking powder is heated or mixed in water,
the following reaction takes place –
NaHCO₃ + H⁺ → CO₂ + H₂O + Sodium salt of acid

(From any acid)
Carbon dioxide produced during the reaction can cause bread or cake to rise making them soft and spongy.
(ii) Sodium hydrogen carbonate is also an ingredient in antacids. Being alkaline, it neutralises excess acid in the stomach and provides relief.
(iii) It is also used in soda-acid fire extinguishers.