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.

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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

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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