Question

Pearl Ash is:
[A] NaCl
[B] ${{K}_{2}}C{{O}_{3}}$
[C] $NaHC{{O}_{3}}$
[D] $KHC{{O}_{3}}$

Answer 1

Hint: You should know that pearl ash is a carbonate of an element whose atomic number is 19. It is a fine white powder used in production of soap. Now try to use this hint and find the correct answer.

Complete step by step answer:
To solve this question, let us discuss all the given options one by one –
Option A is Sodium chloride, commonly known as common salt. It is an ionic compound with the chemical formula NaCl, representing a 1:1 ratio of sodium and chloride ions.

Option B is Potassium carbonate, also known as potash or pearl ash, which is an inorganic compound. It is made of potassium and carbonate ions. Its chemical formula is ${{K}_{2}}C{{O}_{3}}$.

Option C is Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, which is also an inorganic compound with the formula $NaHC{{O}_{3}}$. It is a salt composed of a sodium cation and a bicarbonate anion.

Option D is Potassium bicarbonate (also known as potassium hydrogen carbonate or potassium acid carbonate) is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula $KHC{{O}_{3}}$. It is a white solid inorganic compound.

We can understand from the above discussion that pearl ash is potassium carbonate.
So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Note: We should know the uses of potash. It is used to soften water (remove some of the ions from water) and make soap. It is used to put out fires. It can be used as an electrolyte to electrolyze water.
$KHC{{O}_{3}}$ is a source of carbon dioxide for leavening in baking. It can be a substitute for baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) for those with a low-sodium diet and it is an ingredient in low-sodium baking powders.