How Do You Test For Sodium Bicarbonate?
Sodium bicarbonate, with the chemical formula NaHCO3, is the white powder widely known as baking soda. A similar compound is sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), used as a cleaning agent or an additive during clothes washing. The basic test for the presence of carbonate salts is a reaction with a diluted acid solution that leads to release of bubbles of the gas carbon dioxide and follows the reaction: NaHCO3 + HCl = NaCl + H2O + CO2. An additional test is required to distinguish between sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate. Step 1 Weigh approximately 2 g of the sample and put the substance in the beaker. Step 2 Pour approximately 10 ml of the distilled water into the beaker. Mix the solution with the spoon until the salt dissolves completely. Step 3 Pour the half of the solution into the second beaker. Step 4 Using a plastic pipette, add about 2 ml of the hydrochloric acid solution into the first beaker. If bubbles of the gas (carbon dioxide) intensely evolve during the reaction, then the sam
