Chemical Name of Baking Soda: Sodium Hydrogencarbonate

Understanding the Chemical Name:

Sodium Bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, has a chemical name of Sodium Hydrogencarbonate. Let's break down the chemical name to understand it better.

Sodium:
- Sodium (Na) is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a highly reactive metal that is commonly found in compounds like sodium chloride (table salt).
- In the case of baking soda, sodium is the cation in the compound, providing the positive charge.

Hydrogencarbonate:
- The term "hydrogencarbonate" refers to the bicarbonate ion (HCO3-). This ion is formed when carbonic acid (H2CO3) loses a proton (H+) to become bicarbonate.
- Bicarbonate is a negatively charged anion in the compound, balancing the positive charge of the sodium cation.

Combining Sodium and Hydrogencarbonate:
- When sodium and hydrogencarbonate ions come together, they form sodium hydrogencarbonate, which is the chemical name for baking soda (NaHCO3).
- This compound is commonly used in baking as a leavening agent, as well as for various household cleaning purposes due to its alkaline properties.

In conclusion, the chemical name "sodium hydrogencarbonate" accurately reflects the composition of baking soda, highlighting the presence of sodium cations and bicarbonate anions in the compound.

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