Explain with a balanced reaction, the role of the baking soda. Mention any other use of baking soda.

Question

Match the following pH values 1, 7, 10, 13 to the solutions given below: 

• Milk of magnesia 
• Gastric juices 
• Brine 
• Aqueous Sodium hydroxide. 

Amit and Rita decided to bake a cake and added baking soda to the cake batter.

Explain with a balanced reaction, the role of the baking soda. Mention any other use of baking soda.

Answer 1

• Milk of magnesia	10
• Gastric juices	1
• Brine	7
Aqueous Sodium hydroxide	13

Baking soda undergoes thermal decomposition to form Na₂CO₃, CO₂ and H₂O; CO₂ makes the cake fluffy & soft

NaHCO₃ \(\overset{Heat}{\longrightarrow}\) Na₂CO₃ + CO₂ +H₂O

Uses:-

Used in fire extinguishers/ antacid to neutralize excess acid in stomach / to neutralize the effect of acid in insect sting.