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a chemical which fizzes on contact with water


the guy

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Same thing that makes alka-seltzer fizz. Powdered citric acid mixed with an appropriate amount of baking soda. In the cosmetics-making community, they're also the ingredients in "bath bombs."

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Odd; did the baking powder have a "best before" date on it?

The whole purpose of the stuff is to fizz (slowly) when added to water-containing foods.

Incidentally, baking soda will fizz in very hot water but that might not help you much.

 

To see any appreciable fizz from baking powder or soda, the water must be acidic. Otherwise, what is the reaction that will lead to Na2CO3, or NaHCO3 forming CO2 gas?

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Baking SODA needs an acid to generate co2.

 

Baking POWDER is a mixture of Baking soda, cream of tartar and only needs water to activate. It does get weaker with age , so you need fairly fresh. Humidity will degrade it faster.

 

From baking chemistry :) lemon juice in water is a good cheat for demonstrations, it will activate either.

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To see any appreciable fizz from baking powder or soda, the water must be acidic. Otherwise, what is the reaction that will lead to Na2CO3, or NaHCO3 forming CO2 gas?

 

Baking powder (rather than soda) contains an acid (classically cream of tartar, but others get used).

 

On heating bicarbonates are converted to carbonates and CO2 and water.

2NaHCO3 --> Na2CO3 +H2O +CO2

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Baking SODA needs an acid to generate co2.

 

Baking POWDER is a mixture of Baking soda, cream of tartar and only needs water to activate. It does get weaker with age , so you need fairly fresh. Humidity will degrade it faster.

 

From baking chemistry :) lemon juice in water is a good cheat for demonstrations, it will activate either.

 

Ahhh. I had forgotten the composition of baking powder. :P

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