Question

State whether an aqueous solution of washing soda is acidic or alkaline?Give reason for your answer.​

Answer 1

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Bases are bitter substances which when dissolved in water liberates hydroxide (OH–) ions and washing soda is basic in nature as when it is dissolved in water, it dissociates into the weak acid i.e., carbonic acid as well as the strong alkali known as sodium hydroxide.

Moreover, this gives sodium carbonate the ability to attack metals like, for example, aluminium with the release of hydrogen gas, in solution.

Hence, we conclude that an aqueous solution of washing soda is alkaline.

Furthermore, its formula is Na2CO3 and it is chemically known as sodium carbonate.

Answer 2

Explanation:

An aqueous solution of washing soda is alkaline (turns red litmus blue).On dissolving in water it forms strong base (NaOH) and weak acid (H2CO3)

Na2CO3 + H2O → 2NaOH + H2CO3

It acts as an alkali because when dissolved in water, it dissociates into the weak acid: carbonic acid and the strong alkali: sodium hydroxide. This gives sodium carbonate in solution the ability to attack metals such as aluminium with the release of hydrogen gas.