The compound ‘A’ is sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda.
Reasons for Its Uses:
1. Fire Extinguishers: Sodium bicarbonate releases carbon dioxide gas when heated. This gas helps to suffocate flames by displacing oxygen, which is essential for combustion.
H2SO4 + 2NaHCO3 โ Na2SO4 + 2H2O + 2CO2
2. Antacid: It neutralizes stomach acid, providing relief from heartburn and indigestion. When sodium bicarbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid in the stomach, it produces sodium chloride, water, and carbon dioxide, which helps alleviate discomfort.
HCl + NaHCO3ย โ NaCl + H2O + CO2
3. Baking: In baking, sodium bicarbonate acts as a leavening agent. When it reacts with acidic ingredients (like yogurt or vinegar), it releases carbon dioxide gas, which helps dough rise and become light and fluffy.
Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, reacts with acidic ingredients to produce carbon dioxide gas, which causes the dough to rise. The general chemical reaction can be represented as follows:
Equation:
NaHCO3 (๐ ) + H+ (๐๐) โ Na+(๐๐) + H2O (๐) + CO2 (๐)