Question

Chemical formula of baking soda is:
A. \[MgS{O_4}\]
B. \[N{a_2}C{O_3}\]
C. \[NaHC{O_3}\]
D. \[MgC{O_3}\]

Answer 1

Hint: Baking soda is a salt of sodium. It is also known as bread soda, cooking soda and bicarbonate of soda.

Complete step by step answer:
Baking soda, also known as Sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda is a chemical compound with the formula \[NaHC{O_3}\]. The salt comprises sodium cation (\[N{a^ + }\]) and bicarbonate anion (\[HC{O_3}^ - \]). It is a crystalline white solid but appears as a fine powder. It has a salty, alkaline taste. The natural mineral form of sodium bicarbonate is nahcolite. It is a component of the mineral natron and is found dissolved in many mineral springs. It is basic in nature.
For the preparation of sodium bicarbonate, Solvay process is used. In this process, carbon dioxide, water, ammonia and brine solution are used as raw materials in their concentrated form. Sodium carbonate is also produced by this process industrially. The chemical reactions used in the production of sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate are:
\[C{O_2} + {H_2}O + N{H_3} + N{a^ + } \to NaHC{O_3} + N{H_4}^ + \]
\[NaHC{O_3} \to N{a_2}C{O_3} + C{O_2} + {H_2}O\]

Therefore, the chemical formula of baking soda is \[NaHC{O_3}\].
Hence, the correct answer is (C) \[NaHC{O_3}\].

Additional information:
Some uses of Baking soda are:

It is used as an antacid to treat indigestion.
Used as a water softener.
It is also used in fire extinguishers because of the formation of soapy foam.
It acts as a pesticide.
It is also used in cosmetics.

Note: A student might confuse between \[N{a_2}C{O_3}\] (Sodium carbonate) which is also known as washing soda and \[NaHC{O_3}\] (Sodium Bicarbonate) which is baking soda. Ensure to remember, \[NaHC{O_3}\] is baking soda.