Question

What is washing soda? State two properties and two uses of washing soda.

Answer 1

Hint: Washing soda is the compound of sodium which belongs to group 1 of the s-block. The chemical name of washing soda is known as sodium carbonate. The process by which the washing soda is formed is the Solvay-ammonia process.

Complete answer:
Washing soda is one of the most important compounds of sodium which belongs to group 1 of the s-block. The formula of washing soda is$N{{a}_{2}}C{{O}_{3}}.10{{H}_{2}}O$, so the chemical name of washing soda is known as sodium carbonate. The Solvay-ammonia process is the method by which we can prepare washing soda or sodium carbonate. There are three components involved in the formation of sodium carbonate, these are carbon dioxide, brine (sodium chloride), and ammonia.
The basic process used for the formation of sodium carbonate is carbon dioxide is passed through the brine solution saturated with ammonia, sodium bicarbonate is formed. Now, this sodium bicarbonate is heated to form sodium carbonate. The reactions are as follows:
$N{{H}_{3}}+{{H}_{2}}O\to N{{H}_{3}}.{{H}_{2}}O\to NH_{4}^{+}+O{{H}^{-}}$
$N{{a}^{+}}+C{{l}^{-}}+NH_{4}^{+}+O{{H}^{-}}+C{{O}_{2}}\to N{{a}^{+}}+HCO_{3}^{-}+NH_{4}^{+}+C{{l}^{-}}$
$N{{a}^{+}}+HCO_{3}^{-}\to NaHC{{O}_{3}}$
$NaHC{{O}_{3}}\to N{{a}_{2}}C{{O}_{3}}+C{{O}_{2}}+{{H}_{2}}O$
Some properties of sodium carbonate are:
(i)- It is a white crystalline solid so, it will crystallize in decahydrate form having formula ($N{{a}_{2}}C{{O}_{3}}.10{{H}_{2}}O$)
(ii)- Its solubility in water is very high.
Some uses of washing soda are:
(i)- It is mostly used for cleaning and in the laundry as well as for softening the hard water.
(ii)- It is used in paints and dyes and for the production of soap, glass, borax, sodium phosphate, etc.

Note:
When $N{{a}_{2}}C{{O}_{3}}$ and ${{K}_{2}}C{{O}_{3}}$ are mixed together, the mixture is known as fusion mixture. When the washing soda is treated with any acid, there is an evolution of carbon dioxide, which turns the lime water milky.