When a solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate (sodium hydrocarbonate, NaHCO₃) is heated, it undergoes thermal decomposition to form sodium carbonate, water, and carbon dioxide gas.

Quick Scoop

  • Sodium hydrocarbonate = sodium hydrogencarbonate = baking soda (NaHCO₃).
  • On heating its solution, the compound breaks down (decomposes).
  • Products formed:
    • Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) (remains in solution)
* Water (H₂O)

* Carbon dioxide gas (CO₂), seen as bubbles/effervescence

Reaction involved

Balanced chemical equation:

2NaHCO3→heatNa2CO3+H2O+CO22\text{NaHCO}_3\xrightarrow{\text{heat}}\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3+\text{H}_2\text{O}+\text{CO}_22NaHCO3​heat​Na2​CO3​+H2​O+CO2​

In words:
Two moles of sodium hydrogencarbonate decompose on heating to give one mole of sodium carbonate, one mole of water, and one mole of carbon dioxide gas.

This is a typical decomposition reaction , where a single compound breaks into simpler substances on heating.

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