Question icon
11 grade chemistry others

Baking soda mainly contains sodium bicarbonate. When this is treated with dilute hydrochloric acid, the following reaction occurs:


NaHCO₃ + HCl → NaCl + CO₂ ↑ + H₂O


Answer the following questions:


1) What is the valency of sodium ions?


2) What is the valency of bicarbonate ions?


3) Is the chloride ion monovalent or divalent?


4) What do the symbols → and ↑ imply in the reaction?


5) If one more H⁺ ion is removed from bicarbonate ion, it gives carbonate ion. Write the formula of the carbonate radical.


6) The bicarbonate ion is __________ anion. (Monatomic / Polyatomic)


7) Name the products formed in the above reaction.


8) Identify the cation and the anion in the formula of Sodium chloride.


9) What is the difference between sodium and sodium ions?


10) State the law which must be fulfilled while balancing the chemical equation.

Profile image of Aniket Singh
1 Year agoGrade
Answers icon

1 Answer

Profile image of Askiitians Tutor Team
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer1 Year ago

Let's break down your questions about the reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and dilute hydrochloric acid. This reaction is a great example of an acid-base reaction, and it helps us understand various concepts in chemistry, including valency, ion types, and chemical equations.

Valency of Ions

The valency of an ion is a measure of its ability to combine with other ions. It reflects the number of electrons an atom can lose, gain, or share when forming a chemical bond.

  • Sodium ions (Na+): Sodium has a valency of +1. This means it can lose one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, similar to that of noble gases.
  • Bicarbonate ions (HCO3-): The bicarbonate ion has a valency of -1. It can accept a proton (H+) to form carbonic acid or lose a proton to become a carbonate ion.
  • Chloride ions (Cl-): The chloride ion is monovalent, meaning it has a valency of -1. It gains one electron to achieve stability.

Understanding Reaction Symbols

In the chemical equation:

NaHCO3 + HCl → NaCl + CO2 ↑ + H2O

The symbols used have specific meanings:

  • →: This arrow indicates the direction of the reaction, showing that reactants are transformed into products.
  • ↑: This symbol indicates that a gas is produced in the reaction. In this case, carbon dioxide (CO2) is released as a gas.

Formation of Carbonate Ion

When one more H+ ion is removed from the bicarbonate ion (HCO3-), it transforms into a carbonate ion (CO32-). Therefore, the formula for the carbonate radical is:

CO32-

Identifying the Bicarbonate Ion

The bicarbonate ion is classified as a polyatomic anion because it consists of more than one atom (one hydrogen, one carbon, and three oxygen atoms) and carries a charge.

Products of the Reaction

The products formed in the reaction between sodium bicarbonate and hydrochloric acid are:

  • Sodium chloride (NaCl)
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2)
  • Water (H2O)

Cation and Anion in Sodium Chloride

In sodium chloride (NaCl), the cation is sodium (Na+), and the anion is chloride (Cl-). Sodium donates one electron to become positively charged, while chloride accepts one electron to become negatively charged.

Difference Between Sodium and Sodium Ions

The primary difference between sodium (Na) and sodium ions (Na+) lies in their electrical charge. Sodium is a neutral atom with an equal number of protons and electrons, while sodium ions have lost one electron, resulting in a positive charge.

Balancing Chemical Equations

When balancing chemical equations, the law of conservation of mass must be fulfilled. This law states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, meaning the number of atoms of each element must be the same on both sides of the equation.

By understanding these concepts, you can better grasp the intricacies of chemical reactions and the behavior of different ions in various contexts. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!