Preparation of Sodium Carbonate
Details
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Sodium Carbonate has the formula Na2CO3 . It is also known as 'Washing Soda' or 'Soda Ash'. Like most substances it is a white colored substance. It is basic in nature and will react with many acids and non-metals. It is soluble in water and forms an Alkaline solution. It is non toxic but has a very bad taste, much similar to Baking soda.
Requirements
- Baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
- Heat source
- Water
- Beaker
Process
- Take water in the beaker and heat it near 80°C, but the water should not be boiling.
- Slowly add the baking soda to the hot water, and it will fizz. After fizzing stops add some more Baking soda.
- Add as much as you want to make Na2CO3, and after that's done heat the water and it will boil.
- Boil off all the water to get solid remains of Na2CO3 .
- To get crystals of Na2CO3 , try to recrystallize the product.
Observations
The decomposition temperature of Baking soda is near 50 °C. When it is added to hot water, it decomposes.
2 NaHCO3 = Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2
The CO2 come out of hot water as bubbles, therefore it gives a fizzing effect. After decomposition, the Na2CO3 formed is dissolved in hot water. So to get that out of the solution, the water is boiled off, or Na2CO3 is recrystallized.
2 NaHCO3 = Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2
The CO2 come out of hot water as bubbles, therefore it gives a fizzing effect. After decomposition, the Na2CO3 formed is dissolved in hot water. So to get that out of the solution, the water is boiled off, or Na2CO3 is recrystallized.