This takes me back more than fifty years. My ex-wife tried sodium carbonate in a recipe for scones. They tasted of soap!! Daft thing was that we tried three times before realising what was our mistake!!!Rajini said:TL;DR Summary: Identification of sodium carbonate and bicarbonate
Dear all,
How to identify sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate? I have these two powders, and did not label.
Thanks for your reply.
Cheers, Rajini
Both will fizz if a sample of each is mixed with an acid (using vinegar, maybe). They each will give a different titration curve, so at least if you are in a fitting laboratory situation, you'll find a suggestion of two endpoints for the carbonate, and one endpoint for the bicarbonate. (That is, titrating with an acid titrant.)Rajini said:TL;DR Summary: Identification of sodium carbonate and bicarbonate
Dear all,
How to identify sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate? I have these two powders, and did not label.
Thanks for your reply.
Cheers, Rajini
Thats right. A little of both in individual test tubes…. heat gently with bunsen burner. The one that seems to “boil” is the bicarb.hilbert2 said:NaHCO##_3## decomposes and produces carbon dioxide bubbles when heated near the boiling point of water:
https://www.stem.org.uk/system/file...cy_files_migrated/31929-catalyst_24_3_579.pdf
This reaction doesn't happen with sodium carbonate.
To complete the 'School' experiment, the gas that bubbles off could be collected in an inverted tube ('downward displacement of water') and it will extinguish a burning match etc.chemisttree said:Thats right. A little of both in individual test tubes…. heat gently with bunsen burner. The one that seems to “boil” is the bicarb.
He has both materials.Vanadium 50 said:Just out of curisity, why is it bicarbonate if there is only the one?
TL;DR SummaryIdentification of sodium carbonate and bicarbonate
Dear all,
How to identify sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate? I have these two powders, and did not label.
Thanks for your reply.
Cheers, Rajini
The OP's notation is 'old fashioned' and it's what I learned at School. The Bi, ate, ite, ide etc. parts of the name are a code to tell what's what but it's limited and not intuitive. I was told this by a school lab tech not long ago. There is a new system which is more complicated but describes much more complex compounds. This link has many examples of formulae and common names. It doesn't seem to have any logic to me except for very simple compounds. No doubt the PF Chemists will put name right.Vanadium 50 said:Just out of curiosity, why is it bicarbonate if there is only the one?
The whole process of early Chemistry was pretty arcane and (just as today) very painstaking.chemisttree said:Same is true of the sodium salt of bisulfite (HSO3)- and sulfite (SO3)-2.
Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) are two different chemical compounds with different chemical and physical properties. Sodium carbonate is a white, odorless solid with a melting point of 851°C, while sodium bicarbonate is a white, crystalline solid with a melting point of 50°C. They also have different chemical formulas and molecular weights. Sodium carbonate is commonly known as washing soda, while sodium bicarbonate is commonly known as baking soda.
Sodium carbonate is commonly used in the production of glass, detergents, and paper. It is also used in water softening, as a food additive, and in the production of certain chemicals. Sodium bicarbonate is commonly used in baking, as a cleaning agent, and as an antacid for heartburn and indigestion. It is also used in fire extinguishers and in certain medical treatments.
No, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate cannot be used interchangeably. They have different chemical properties and therefore have different uses. For example, sodium carbonate is a stronger base than sodium bicarbonate, so it is more effective in cleaning and water softening. In baking, sodium bicarbonate produces carbon dioxide gas, which causes dough to rise, while sodium carbonate does not have this property.
Sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate are generally safe to consume in small amounts. However, consuming large amounts of either compound can lead to adverse effects. Sodium carbonate can cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea, while sodium bicarbonate can cause bloating, gas, and electrolyte imbalances. It is important to follow recommended guidelines for consumption of these compounds.
Both sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate are considered safe for the environment. However, excessive use or release of these compounds into the environment can have negative effects. Sodium carbonate can increase the pH of water, which can harm aquatic life. Sodium bicarbonate can also affect the pH of water, as well as contribute to eutrophication (excessive growth of algae) in bodies of water. It is important to use these compounds responsibly and dispose of them properly.