Question

How is washing soda prepared from sodium carbonate? Give its chemical equation. State the type of this salt. Name the type of hardness of water which can be removed by it?

Answer 1

Hint:We should know that the washing soda is prepared by sodium carbonate by adding ten molecules of water of crystallisation. We can add to it that the washing soda is used to remove both permanent as well as the temporary hardness in water.

Complete step by step answer:
We should know that the washing soda is prepared by sodium carbonate by adding ten molecules of water of crystallisation to each formula unit and is further known as the sodium carbonate decahydrate or the washing soda. Further we can say that washing soda is the sodium salt that is basic in nature. This can be further expressed through the equation:
\[N{a_2}C{O_3} + 10{H_2}O \to N{a_2}C{O_3}.10{H_2}O\]
Further this is prepared by the solvays process. Moreover we should know that the cold and concentrated solution of sodium chloride is reacted with the ammonia and carbon dioxide to obtain sodium hydrogen carbonate. We can add to it that the washing soda is used to remove both permanent as well as the temporary hardness in water.It is also soluble in water and adds a large amount of carbonate ions in water. These also react with dissolved calcium and magnesium ions to produce insoluble precipitates. This is so because the calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate are insoluble. Moreover the water gets softened because the water does not contain calcium ions and magnesium ions any more. Also it is important to note here that it forms lather easily with soap.

Note:
We should note here that there are different processes to remove the hardness of water and further different laboratory produced reagents are used in it. the washing soda is used to remove both permanent as well as the temporary hardness in water