sodium carbonate

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. Also called soda ash.  an anhydrous, grayish-white, odorless, water-soluble powder, Na 2 CO 3 , usually obtained by the Solvay process and containing about 1 percent of impurities consisting of sulfates, chlorides, and bicarbonates of sodium: used in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, soaps, paper, petroleum products, sodium salts, as a cleanser, for bleaching, and in water treatment.

2. Also called sal soda, soda, washing soda.  the decahydrated form of this salt, Na 2 CO 3 ⋅10H 2 O, used similarly.

3. the monohydrated form of this salt, Na 2 CO 3 ⋅H 2 O, used similarly, especially in photography.

---

sodium carbonate British  

noun

1. a colourless or white odourless soluble crystalline compound existing in several hydrated forms and used in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, soap, and paper and as an industrial and domestic cleansing agent. It is made by the Solvay process and commonly obtained as the decahydrate (washing soda or sal soda) or a white anhydrous powder (soda ash). Formula: Na 2 CO 3 See also washing soda sal soda soda ash

---

Etymology

Origin of sodium carbonate

First recorded in 1865–70

Compare meaning

How does sodium-carbonate compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• sodium carbonate vs. sodium bicarbonate

Example Sentences

The Met's Cdr Jon Savell said a laboratory analysis of the substance from the attack site found it was a "very strong concentrated corrosive substance, either liquid sodium hydroxide or liquid sodium carbonate".

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2024

He covers most every disgusting stain imaginable and suggests ways to get rid of them, MacGyver-like, using bleach alternative, sodium carbonate, rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.

From Washington Post • Mar. 25, 2021

For example, nickel carbonate can be prepared from solutions of nickel nitrate and sodium carbonate according to the following net ionic equation:

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

In ancient Egypt, a paste made out of honey, sodium carbonate, and crocodile dung was a popular form of contraception.

From Time • Jan. 23, 2015

The methods of manufacture are the same as for sodium carbonate, although a much larger quantity of potassium carbonate than carbonate of soda is obtained from burned plant ashes.

From Soap-Making Manual A Practical Handbook on the Raw Materials, Their Manipulation, Analysis and Control in the Modern Soap Plant. by Thomssen, E. G.