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Na2CO3 is the chemical formula of Sodium carbonate.
- It is an inorganic compound which is abundant in nature and appears as a component of mineral fluids as well as the solid minerals natron, trona, and thermonatrite.
- Sodium carbonate is also known as washing soda, soda ash and soda crystals
- Na2CO3 is a white, odourless, water-soluble salts that produce mildly alkaline solutions in water.
- It has a major advantage over sodium hydroxide in that it is non-corrosive and hence safer to handle.
Key Terms: Sodium carbonate, Chemical formula, Diazonium salt, Sodium hydroxide, Na2CO3, Limestone, Melting point, Boiling point
What is Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)?
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Sodium carbonate is a diazonium salt of carbonic acid with the chemical formula Na2CO3
- Sodium carbonate has an alkalizing effect.
- When sodium carbonate is dissolved in water, it produces carbonic acid and sodium hydroxide.
- Sodium Carbonate is collected from the ashes of plants grown in sodium-rich soils.
- Since the ashes of these sodium-rich plants differed markedly from the ashes of wood, sodium carbonate is also known as soda ash.
- The Solvay method generates a considerable amount of Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3) from sodium chloride and limestone.
Sodium Carbonate Structure
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Composition of Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)
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Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) has a molar mass of 106.0 g/mol.
- It is a sodium salt of carbonic acid that is made up of two sodium cations (Na+) and a carbonate anion (CO3-).
- It is made up of crystalline heptahydrate.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Chemical Safety | Irritant |
| Molecular Formula | Na2CO3 or CNa2O3 |
| Other Names | Di-sodium carbonate Carbonic acid disodium salt Soda Ash |
| Molecular Weight | 105.9888 g/mol |
| Parent Compound | Carbonic acid |
| Component Compound | Sodium |
Physical Properties of Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)
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The following are the physical properties of Sodium carbonate
- It has a molecular mass of 105.99 g/mol.
- It is a white crystalline substance.
- It is highly soluble in water.
- It has a boiling point of 1600 oC.
- It has a melting point of 851 oC.
- It has a density of 2.54 g/cm3.
- It has no odour.
Chemical Properties of Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)
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The following are the chemical properties of Sodium carbonate
- Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3) can react with dilute HCl to liberate carbon dioxide.
Na2CO3 + 2HCl (dil.) → 2NaCl + H2O + CO2
- Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3) absorbs carbon dioxide and water to produce sodium hydrogen carbonate–
Na2CO3 (saturated) + H2O + CO2 → 2NaHCO3
- Reaction with hydrogen fluoride-
Na2CO3 + 2HF → 2NaF + H2O + CO2
Synthesis of Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)
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The Solvay technique produces sodium carbonate on a large scale.
- It can also be produced via a variety of alternative procedures, such as the Leblanc process, the electrolytic method, Hou's process, etc.
- The Solvay method, commonly known as the ammonia-rich process, is the most cost-effective of the procedures.
- Ammonia, brine solution, and limestone are the reactants used in this process.
- They are inexpensive and widely accessible.
- Salt may be obtained as a required by-product during this procedure.
- Carbon dioxide and ammonia are introduced into a cold saturated sodium chloride solution during this reaction.
- Sodium hydrogen carbonate, which is only very little soluble in the presence of sodium ions, is fully precipitated.
- It is filtered out and burned to generate sodium carbonate.
The chemical reactions are given below:
2NH3 + H2O + CO2 → (NH4)2CO3
(NH4)2CO3 + H2O + CO2 → 2NH4HCO3
Adding common salt to the solution consisting of NH4+ and HCO3– leads to the precipitation of NaHCO3 having the least solubility. It is then filtered away.
NH4HCO3 + NaCl → NH4Cl + NaHCO3
Afterwards, Sodium bicarbonate is heated to produce Na2CO3.
2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
The CO2 gas evolved can be reused.
Applications of Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)
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Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is commonly used for the following purposes:
- Sodium carbonate (or washing soda) is a cleaning agent.
- Many dry soap powders contain sodium carbonate.
- It is used to remove both transient and permanent water hardness.
- It is used in the production of glass, soap, and paper.
- It is used in the production of sodium compounds such as borax.
- Sodium carbonate has a variety of culinary applications.
- Sodium carbonate is also used as a strong base in a variety of applications.
Occurrences of Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)
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Sodium carbonate is water soluble and can be found naturally in dry areas, particularly in mineral deposits which are formed when seasonal lakes evaporate.
It can be observed in the following places:
- Alkali Lakes: Alkali lakes contain high percentages of sodium carbonate. Nearly one million tonnes of anhydrous sulphate are predicted to be present at Soda Lake, California. Small amounts of borax may be found in lakes all around the world.
- Volcano: The anhydrous mineral form of sodium carbonate, known as natrite, is extremely uncommon. Sodium carbonate erupts from Ol Doinyo Lengai, Tanzania's distinctive volcano.
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| Periodic Classification of Elements | Solutions | Difference Between Mixture And Solution |
| Unsaturated Solutions | Inorganic Chemistry | Difference Between Organic and Inorganic Compounds |
Things to Remember
- Sodium carbonate is a diazonium salt of carbonic acid with the chemical formula Na2CO3
- Sodium carbonate is an odourless white crystalline substance that is water soluble.
- It has a molecular mass of 105.99 g/mol.
- The boiling point of sodium carbonate is 1600°C and its melting point is 851 °C.
- It has a density of 2.54 g/cm3.
- Soda ash and caustic soda are required in the manufacture of glass, soap, and other chemicals.
- Solutions of sodium carbonate are very alkaline and corrosive.
- It can cause significant skin and eye irritation.
- Inhaling sodium carbonate dust or fumes can induce mucous membrane and respiratory tract irritation, as well as acute coughing and shortness of breath.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is Sodium carbonate? (2 Marks)
Ans. Sodium carbonate is a chemical compound that is inorganic. Soda ash is often known as sodium carbonate. Trona is used to make soda ash. Trona is a double salt composed of sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogen carbonate that forms as a result of the evaporation processes that occur in lakes.
Ques. Are sodium carbonate and baking soda the same? (2 Marks)
Ans. Sodium carbonate is sometimes known as soda ash or washing soda. Baking soda is another name for sodium bicarbonate. Sodium carbonate is a compound composed of sodium and acid. Sodium bicarbonate is a combination of sodium, acid, and hydrogen.
Ques. Can sodium carbonate be used as an antacid? (2 Marks)
Ans. Sodium carbonate is a disodium salt of carbonic acid that has an alkalizing effect. When sodium carbonate is dissolved in water, it produces carbonic acid and sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide, as a strong base, neutralises stomach acid, functioning as an antacid.
Ques. How much sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is added to drinking water to avoid corrosion? (2 Marks)
Ans. Sodium carbonate is often added to water in amounts ranging from 1 ppm to 40 ppm in the process of altering pH and alkalinity for corrosion control. These additions are insignificant in comparison to naturally occurring sodium and carbonate found in food, drinks, and natural waterways, or levels added to foods and beverages for specific effects.
Ques. Is it possible to substitute baking soda for sodium carbonate? (2 Marks)
Ans. The industry norm has traditionally been to employ sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to increase total alkalinity and sodium carbonate (soda ash) to increase pH, with the exception of when both total alkalinity and pH are low. Sodium carbonate has a significant impact on both pH and total alkalinity.
Ques. Is there naturally occurring sodium carbonate in drinking water? (3 Marks)
Ans. Yes, because sodium and carbonates are widespread natural mineral components, they may be found in a wide range of natural soils, surface and groundwater sources, and plant and animal tissues. Water sources in limestone have high quantities of sodium carbonate, which must occasionally be treated. Water from acidic deposits contains high quantities of sodium but very low levels of carbonate.
Ques. What are the usual sodium and carbonate levels in food and beverages? (3 Marks)
Ans. The sodium content of meals varies greatly. Pickles, cured meats, potato chips, and other salty foods have sodium levels ranging from 600 ppm to several thousand ppm. Bottled soft drinks have sodium levels ranging from 80 to 250 ppm. Carbonate levels in food and beverages vary greatly as well. Carbonate ion concentrations in carbonated soft drinks range from 2700 to more than 10,000 ppm. Carbonate levels in commercial bottled water range from roughly 10 ppm to 3000 ppm. Water exposed to air absorbs carbon dioxide from the air and may create carbonate levels ranging from 10 ppm to 250 ppm.
Ques. How is Sodium Carbonate formed? (3 Marks)
Ans. Sodium bicarbonate has the formula CHNaO3, whereas sodium carbonate has the formula Na2CO3. Simply bake baking soda or sodium bicarbonate for about an hour at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Carbon dioxide and water will be emitted, leaving behind dry sodium carbonate. Soda ash is what it's called. The chemical easily absorbs water, resulting in the formation of the hydrate (returning to baking soda). To keep the sodium carbonate dry, store it in a sealed container or with a desiccant, or let it form the hydrate as desired. While sodium carbonate is rather stable, in dry air it slowly decomposes to generate sodium oxide and carbon dioxide.
Ques. What are the uses of Washing Soda? (3 Marks)
Ans. Uses of washing soda are:
- It is used in laundries and for water softening.
- In the production of glass, sodium silicate, paper, borax, soap powder, caustic soda, and other products.
- As a reagent in the laboratory.
- In the textile and petroleum refining industries.
- To produce different metal carbonates.
Ques. Is drinking water Harmful with sodium carbonate Na2CO3? If yes, how? (5 Marks)
Ans. Sodium carbonate is possibly dangerous only in highly concentrated solutions or in solid form. Irritation, dermatitis, and even burns can result from direct skin or eye contact, or inhalation of powder or crystals. Household cleaning and laundry solutions include sodium carbonate at concentrations of 10% (100,000 ppm) or more and are highly irritating to exposed skin after extended contact. Undiluted cleaning chemicals containing 50% (500,000 ppm) or more sodium carbonate can react chemically with and burn skin and mucous membranes.
Ingestion of concentrated salt or powerful cleaning solutions might result in nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, and mouth and throat burns. Skin contact is safe with solutions containing 10% or less (100,000 ppm). Carbonated drinks with carbonate ion levels as high as 10,000 ppm are widely consumed without ill consequences.
Ques. What is the difference between Borax and Sodium Carbonate? (5 Marks)
Ans. Sodium carbonate, sometimes known as washing soda or soda ash, is a naturally occurring mineral with the formula Na2CO3. With a pH of 11, washing soda is quite alkaline. For its distinct chemical makeup, it is particularly good in degreasing and thoroughly cleaning clothing. However, due to its high pH, washing soda is extremely caustic and should never be in contact with naked skin.
Borax, on the other hand, is made up of sodium tetraborate, often known as Na2B4O7. Borax, like washing soda, is alkaline, albeit not to the same extent as the other material. Since it softens water in the same way as washing soda does, borax has been used for thousands of years to help launder clothing and clean surfaces. The molecules in borax, on the other hand, are significantly less "sharp," thus they dissolve in water more easily, changing the makeup of the molecule itself.
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