Question

Which of the following gives brisk effervescence with baking soda?
A) Methanoic acid
B) Propanoic acid
C) Ethanoic acid
D) All of these

Answer 1

Hint: The basic concept of chemistry which includes the fact that baking soda is nothing but sodium bicarbonate and by the reaction of all these given chemicals in the option with this soda will give the required answer.

Complete answer:
In the classes of chemistry, we have studied the general concept which deals with the reaction of acids with the salt which generally produces salt and water and some produces effervescence.
Now, let us see which among the following given options will react with baking soda to give brisk effervescence by writing down the reaction taking place.
- Baking soda is the common name given for the chemical sodium bicarbonate. It is used as the leavening agent in baked gods like cakes, muffins etc.
- Baking soda is fine powder which is white in colour and this chemical has sodium cation and carbonate anion.
This, carbonate anion reacts with acids to give off the carbon dioxide gas which is the reason for the brisk effervescence produced.
- A) When methanoic acid reacts with sodium bicarbonate, the reaction will be,
$$NaHC{O}_3+HCOOHHCOONa+C{O}_2+H_{2}O$$
Thus, there is a release of carbon dioxide here and produces brisk effervescence.
- In case of B) propanoic acid, the reaction with aqueous sodium bicarbonate will be,
$$NaHC{O}_3+C_2{H}_{5}COOH\to C_2{H}_{5}COONa+C{O}_2+H_{2}O$$
Even here, there is release of$$C{O}_2$$which produces the brisk effervescence.
- In option C) Ethanoic acid, the reaction will be
$$NaHC{O}_3+C{H}_{3}COOOH\to C{H}_{3}COONa+C{O}_2+H_{2}O$$

Therefore, there is release of $$C{O}_2$$ and hence, all the three produce brisk effervescence when treated with sodium bicarbonate.

Note: Be thorough with the common names given for several compounds as there are differences in the baking soda and washing soda as baking soda is the sodium bicarbonate and washing soda is the sodium carbonate.