BACK TO sodium carbonate

sodium carbonate vs. sodium bicarbonate

sodium carbonate

noun
  1. an anhydrous, grayish-white, odorless, water-soluble powder, Na2CO3, usually obtained by the Solvay process and containing about 1 percent of impurities consisting of sulfates, chlorides, and bicarbonates of sodium: used in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, soaps, paper, petroleum products, sodium salts, as a cleanser, for bleaching, and in water treatment.
  2. the decahydrated form of this salt, Na2CO3⋅10H2O, used similarly.
  3. the monohydrated form of this salt, Na2CO3⋅H2O, used similarly, especially in photography.

sodium bicarbonate

noun
  1. a white, crystalline, water-soluble solid, in powder or granules, NaHCO3, usually prepared by the reaction of soda ash with carbon dioxide or obtained from the intermediate product of the Solvay process by purification: used chiefly in the manufacture of sodium salts, baking powder, and beverages, as a laboratory reagent, as a fire extinguisher, and in medicine as an antacid.