How would you distinguish between baking powder and washing soda by heating?
When baking powder is heated, carbon dioxide is produced. This can be shown by following equation.
2NaHCO3 + Heat → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
Evolution of carbon dioxide can be confirmed by passing the gas into lime water. if lime water turns milky, it indicates evolution of carbon dioxide gas. This reaction does not happen when washing soda is heated.
