Railway Science (Chemistry-Chemistry in Everyday life)

Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃.10H₂O) (Washing soda) - A cleansing agent for domestic purposes. Sodium hydrogen carbonate (Sodium bicarbonate) (NaHCO₃) - Commonly known as baking soda is used as an antacid, used in cooking (particularly to bake food), used as a pesticide and as a disinfectant.

Uses - Fluxing agent, fertilizer, filler in paper and textiles, and retarder in Portland cement. Gypsum can be deposited from Lake and seawater, Volcanic vapours, Sulphate solutions in veins, Hot baths, Through near-surface exposures. Limestone (Calcium carbonate) (CaCO₃), Dolomite (C₂CaMgO₆), Barite (barium sulfate) (BaSO₄).

Antacids are used to neutralize the excess stomach acid. Some examples are : aluminium hydroxide Al(OH)₃ , magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃), magnesium trisilicate (Mg₂O₈Si₃), magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)₂ , calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃).

Washing soda (Na₂CO₃ . 10H₂O) is a hydrated form of sodium carbonate. Uses - soap, glass and paper industries , removal of permanent hardness of water. Baking soda (NaHCO₃) - Sodium Bicarbonate.
Uses - soda - acid fire extinguisher, manufacturing of antacids. Blue vitriol (CuSo₄) - copper sulphate. Uses - electrolytes for batteries. Green vitriol (FeSo₄) - Ferrous sulphate. Uses - in medicine to treat iron deficiency.

Bleaching powder - It is also known as Calcium hypochlorite (CaOCl₂). It is used for bleaching silk and wool. It is used as an oxidising agent in many chemical industries to obtain various chemical products. It is mainly used as a bleaching agent for cotton, linen and wood pulp.

Washing Soda (Na₂CO₃ .10H₂O) is hydrated sodium carbonate. Physical Properties - White crystalline solid, odorless, alkaline taste. Uses - remove permanent hardness of water, manufacture of glass, soap, paper, manufacture of borax.
Examples (Basic Salts) - Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), lithium fluoride (LiF), etc. Acidic Salts - Ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl), Ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄ ].

Cement is a dry powdery substance made by calcining lime and clay. Compounds in cement mainly are Tricalcium silicate (3CaO.SiO₂), Dicalcium silicate (2CaO.SiO₂), Tricalcium aluminate (3CaO.Al₂O₃), and Tetracalcium alumino ferrite (4CaO. Al₂O₃Fe₂O₃). Tricalcium silicate is the best cementing material. Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃). Magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)₂ ].

Bee stings are acidic in nature, which is why a household remedy for a bee sting is baking soda or sodium bicarbonate, which is a basic substance. Other uses of Baking soda- Antacid, Mouth Freshening, Mouth Cleaning, Plaque Removal, Deodorant, etc.

The chemical equation is - NaHCO₃ → Na2CO₃ + CO₂ + H₂O. NaHCO₃ (Sodium hydrogen carbonate) - Baking powder; Uses - making soda, laboratory reagents, manufacture of fire extinguishers, and as an antacid to decrease the acidity of the stomach.

Bleaching action. Bleaching powder {Calcium hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)₂} is prepared by passing dry chlorine gas over dry slaked lime. Uses: bleaching cotton, linen, oxidizing agent and disinfecting drinking water. Baking soda {sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)} is an alkaline white powder. Uses: Antacid, Mouth Freshening, Deodorant, Foot Soak and Hair Care.