Question

The molecular formula of Baking soda is :

Answer 1

Hint: Baking soda is used in cakes, muffins and cookies as a good leaving agent. Baking soda when added to the dough releases carbon dioxide, hence the compound must have a carbonate group. It is known that baking soda is found to be slightly basic when dissolved in water.

Complete step by step answer:
-Sodium hydrogen carbonate (also sodium bicarbonate) commonly known as baking soda (especially in North America and New Zealand) or bicarbonate of soda is used widely in cakes, muffins, cookies as it helps to make the cake fluffy. This is because baking soda releases carbon dioxide while baking.
-The salt is composed of a sodium cation ($\text{N}{{\text{a}}^{+}}$) and a bicarbonate anion ($\text{HC}{{\text{O}}_{3}}^{-}$). Sodium bicarbonate is a white solid that is crystalline in nature. However, it appears to be a fine powder like an amorphous solid.
 -It has a salty, alkaline taste resembling that of washing soda (sodium carbonate). This is because sodium bicarbonate is slightly basic.
-The natural mineral form of sodium bicarbonate is nahcolite. It is found in many mineral springs and is a component of the mineral natron.
The molecular formula for baking soda is $\text{NaHC}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$.
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note: Baking soda is commonly mistaken as baking powder. Baking soda is not directly used in cakes. Baking soda is mixed with a weak acid to work as a good leaving agent. The dry mixture of baking soda and a weak acid is called baking powder.