Sodium carbonate, also known as soda, washing soda, or natron, has the chemical formula Na2CO3. It is an inorganic compound widely used in various industrial and domestic applications.
Physical appearance: Sodium carbonate is generally in the form of white powder or colorless crystals. It is soluble in water.
Applications:
- Chemical Industry: Used as a raw material in the production of various chemicals.
- Glass Industry: Employed to lower the melting temperature of sand, facilitating glass production.
- Textile Industry: Used in the dyeing and fabric treatment processes.
- Household Cleaners: Present in many detergents and cleaning products.
- Water Treatment: Used to adjust the pH of water.
- Chemical Reactions: Sodium carbonate reacts with acids to form carbon dioxide, water, and a salt.
- Nomenclature: In addition to the common name sodium carbonate, it is sometimes called soda ash. Anhydrous sodium carbonate is a form without water, while decahydrate sodium carbonate is also known as washing soda.