Chemicals are important parts of our everyday life. Different industries use chemicals in many ways. They can be used in their simplest forms or you can use them in their compound form. One of the most important chemical combinations that we use in our everyday life is Sodium Bicarbonate.
If you have not recalled your chemistry lessons, a mixture of sodium hydroxide and carbon dioxide in water forms Sodium Bicarbonate. The precipitate formed is usually whitish and it can take form of a crystalline or fine powder. Let us find out the uses of this chemical compound as well as its importance to our society today.
Baking Soda
Sodium Bicarbonate is an important component of baking soda. This product is not only limited kitchen use and baking. Baking soda can be used as a whitening agent for the teeth. If you have halitosis, you can dissolve this in water and gargle it to remove bad breath. It is also a cleansing agent. It can remove stains and smells from your clothes. Clean your kitchen utensils and many others. One of the most popular uses for baking soda is for relieving itches. It can also work like cornstarch as it promotes cleanliness.
Fire Protection Device
This compound is also used to put out fire. It is one of the components of powder fire extinguisher. It is part of the Category B and C, which can be used to put out fire from combustible substances and any devices involving wires. There other compounds used to put out fire using this device. Sodium Bicarbonate is just one of them.
Medicine
This is one of the popular medicines used to correct fluid and electrolyte imbalances. If you have a case of indigestion, this medicine is given. They are popularly used as antacids. In cases of hyponatremia (which means low sodium in the blood) and metabolic acidosis, this compound is very important. It replaces lost sodium in the body and raises the ph of your body to lever it to the normal level.
It is amazing how chemicals like this work to make our lives easier and safer. No wonder life has drastically improved because of chemicals like this.