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Soda Ash Vs Baking Soda: Similarity and Differences

Mar 7，2024

There is no doubt that Soda Ash and Baking Soda are two different substances, but they have certain similarities. This article will introduce the differences and similarities between the two through a simple comparison.

Soda Ash

Soda Ash(Sodium carbonate), Na2CO3.10H2O, is an industrial chemical with the formula Na2CO3. It is also known as washing soda, soda ash, and soda crystals. All of the forms are water-soluble. Colorless. Odorless salts that produce moderately alkaline solutions in water. Soda Ash is the world's 10th most consumed inorganic compound, which has been used for over 5,000 years. It is a safe, simple compound and a key component in various industrial processes, from the manufacture of glass to dry powder detergents and lithium-ion batteries. It is also an essential ingredient in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Baking soda

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, is a popular baking ingredient. The chemical formula of Sodium bicarbonate is NaHCO3. NaHCO3's pH value is about 8, but it is also an alkaline chemical. It is typically found in powder or granules. Baking soda is an alkaline white powder that's ubiquitous in modern kitchens. In 1846, two brothers-in-law, Dr. Austin Church and John Dwight, teamed up to distribute baking soda.

Similarity

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Both baking soda and soda ash resemble each other in appearance. They are both white powder. They are usually solids but are frequently seen in powder form. When added to water, both can produce Na ions with a positive charge and CO3 ions with a negative charge. Baking soda also creates positive hydrogen (H) ions.

In addition, Baking soda and soda ash are both inorganic chemical compounds, including sodium. Furthermore, these substances contain ionic bonds and are categorized as bases. Both chemicals can be used in applications that need to raise pH levels and alkalinity, but they do not work similarly.

The short version is that baking soda is a refined version of soda ash. However, they have different applications and chemical makeups despite being mined from the same natural resource. Their synthetic processes are also the same. However, the results are two alkaline powders with different applications and unique properties. While soda ash is present in several industries, baking soda is mostly used in baking, cleaning, and homeopathic settings.

Differences

Obviously, their names are different, and their chemical compositions and formulas are also different. The biggest difference is that although they can be used in the food industry, their applications differ.

Baking soda can be used for cleaning, baking, and healing. It helps to treat bee stings, mosquito bites, and heartburn. It can neutralize odors and acids and helps clean corroded and rusty metals. Like soda ash, baking soda has numerous applications. However, it is used predominantly in baking. Here is a list of some of the many uses for baking soda:

It can be used as a mouthwash or teeth whitener.

Baking soda is an ingredient in natural deodorant and can be used to keep your fridge fresh.

Like whitening your teeth, baking soda can be used to whiten laundry

As a cleaning agent, it has many practical uses; try it out anywhere in your house!

It can be used to treat stains

Baking soda makes an easy wash for fruits and veggies

Use it to polish silverware or scorched pots

It can be diluted with water and sprayed on weeds to kill them naturally

It can relieve sunburns, heartburns, stomach pains, and itchy bug bites.

Soda Ash is used in water treatment, cleaning products, glass, leather, and paper production:

It is used in film development to balance out pH levels

It is also used in pools to balance out pH levels