Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is an ionic compound with the chemical formula NaHCO3. In water, it dissociates into two ions, Na+ and HCO3-, or sodium and bicarbonate ions. The bicarbonate ion is the conjugate base formed when a weak acid called carbonic acid gives up a hydrogen ion; as its conjugate base, bicarbonate can accept a hydrogen ion. This reaction decreases the hydrogen ion concentration in the water, making it more alkaline. The bottom line is this: if you want to make an alkaline solution for a simple science experiment, all you need to do is dissolve baking soda in water.
- Baking soda
- Measuring spoon
- Water
- pH paper
- Glass
- Spoon
Dissolved baking soda acts as a weak antacid by neutralizing a little HCl in your stomach if you drink it, although since it also contains sodium it increases your sodium intake.
Measure out some baking soda. The more baking soda you add, the more alkaline your solution will be. Sodium bicarbonate is a rather weak base, so you can never make the solution as alkaline as you would with a stronger base such as sodium hydroxide.
Pour some water in the glass and add the baking soda. Stir until it dissolves.
Dip the pH paper into the solution to measure its pH. The pH paper kits generally come with a scale showing which color matches which pH range; this way, you can get a rough estimate of how alkaline your solution is.
Things You'll Need
Tips
References
- "Chemical Principles, the Quest for Insight, 4th Edition"; Peter Atkins et al.; 2008
Tips
- Dissolved baking soda acts as a weak antacid by neutralizing a little HCl in your stomach if you drink it, although since it also contains sodium it increases your sodium intake.
About the Author
Based in San Diego, John Brennan has been writing about science and the environment since 2006. His articles have appeared in "Plenty," "San Diego Reader," "Santa Barbara Independent" and "East Bay Monthly." Brennan holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of California, San Diego.
Photo Credits
Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images