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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sodium carbonate

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

The two carbonates used commercially in the largest quantities are sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate.

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

Certain substances are insoluble in all these reagents, and other methods, such as the fusion with sodium carbonate and potassium nitrate, and subsequent treatment with an acid, must be employed.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various