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To begin, the sodium carbonate formula is Na2CO3(O = 45.29 percent, Na = 43.38 percent, C = 11,33 percent). Furthermore, Sodium carbonate is also known as washing soda, soda ash, and soda crystals. Furthermore, Na2CO3 is an inorganic compound with a large number of hydrates.
The Solvay process produces a significant amount of Na2CO3 from sodium chloride and limestone. Furthermore, it exists in all of its forms as white, water-soluble salts. Furthermore, all forms of sodium carbonate have a strongly alkaline taste and produce mildly alkaline solutions in water. Let’s find out more about sodium carbonate and the sodium carbonate formula.
Physical Properties (Na2CO3)Sodium Carbonate
1.Its molecular weight is 105.99 g/mol.
2.It’s a crystalline white material.
3.It has a high water solubility.
4.It has a boiling point of 1600 degrees Celsius.
5.It has a melting point of 851 degrees Celsius.
6.It weighs 2.54 g/cm3 and has a density of 2.54 g/cm3.
7.It is odourless
Hydrates in Relation to the Sodium Carbonate Formula
There are three distinct hydrates of sodium carbonate, and the anhydrous salt is:
1.Sodium carbonate decahydrate, Na2CO310H2O (natron)
2.Sodium carbonate heptahydrate (Na2CO37H2O).
3.Thermonatrite, Na2CO3H2O
Anhydrous salt, commonly known as anhydrous Na2CO3 is produced by heating the hydrates. Furthermore, it is generated when sodium hydrogen carbonate is heated (calcined), as in the Solvay process’s final stage.
Natural Occurence of Sodium Carbonate
To begin with, sodium carbonate is water soluble. Furthermore, it occurs naturally in desertic locations, particularly in mineral deposits (evaporites) formed when seasonal lakes evaporate. Furthermore, reserves of the mineral have been extracted from the bottoms of dry lakes in Egypt since ancient times.
The salt form of sodium carbonate, known as natrite, is extremely rare. The unique volcano in Ol Doinyo Lengai, Tanzania, is erupting with sodium carbonate. All three mineralogical forms of sodium carbonate are found in ultra-alkaline pegmatitic rocks, such as those found in Russia’s Kola Peninsula.
Preparation of Sodium Carbonate
1)From Plants and Seaweed- We can process numerous “halophyte” (salt-tolerant) plant and seaweed species to produce an impure form of sodium carbonate. Land plants and seaweed are harvested and burned.
The leftover ash will then need to be washed with water to generate an alkali solution. After that, we’ll need to boil this solution to make the final product.
2) Mining- Trona, trisodium hydrogen dicarbonate dihydrate (Na3HCO3CO3H2O), is mined in a number of locations throughout the United States. Turkey likewise has significant trona reserves. It is also found through dredging in some alkaline lakes, such as Lake Magadi in Kenya.
3) The Solvay process, which uses ammonia and carbon dioxide to convert sodium chloride to sodium carbonate:
NaHCO3 + NH4Cl = NaCl + NH3 + CO2 + H2O
The sodium bicarbonate that results is subsequently converted to sodium carbonate by heating it and releasing water and carbon dioxide.
Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2= 2NaHCO3
Uses of Sodium Carbonate
1) Water softening- Sodium carbonate is excellent for softening water by eliminating Mg2+ and Ca2+ . When these ions are treated with carbonate ions, they all produce insoluble solid precipitates. Furthermore, soft water eliminates soap waste and extends the life of pipes and fittings by preventing rust.
2) Glass production- Sodium carbonate acts as a flux for silica, lowering the melting point of the mixture and allowing the production of’soda-lime glass’ without the use of special materials and at a reasonable cost.
3) Food additive- Sodium carbonate is an E500 food additive that also functions as an acidity regulator, anticaking agent, raising agent, and stabiliser.
4) Other applications- Sodium carbonate can be used as a wetting agent in the brick business to reduce the amount of water required to extrude the clay. Furthermore, it is used in toothpaste as a foaming agent and an abrasive.
Conclusion
We conclude that the Detergents, soaps, and paper are all made with it. Water glass (sodium silicate), borax, sodium phosphate, and a variety of other salt compounds are all made with it. It is utilised as a water softener – carbonate precipitates hard water, which contains magnesium and calcium ions.
