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Sodium carbonate is used in the manufacture of soaps, glass and paper as well as the treatment of water - Scottish Highers Chemistry - Question 8 - 2015
Question 8
Sodium carbonate is used in the manufacture of soaps, glass and paper as well as the treatment of water. One industrial process used to make sodium carbonate is the ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Sodium carbonate is used in the manufacture of soaps, glass and paper as well as the treatment of water - Scottish Highers Chemistry - Question 8 - 2015
Step 1
a) Complete the flow chart by adding the names of the chemicals involved.
Answer
- Calcium Carbonate is heated to produce Carbon Dioxide.
- The Carbon Dioxide reacts with Ammonia and Brine in the Reactor to form Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate and Ammonium Chloride.
- The Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate is sent to the Separator, where it can be identified as one of the products.
- The Ammonium Chloride is also collected, leading to Ammonia Recovery.
- Carbon Dioxide is released during the heating of Calcium Carbonate, with Calcium Chloride being a by-product.
Step 2
b) Explain fully why using a concentrated sodium chloride solution encourages production of sodium hydrogen carbonate as a salt.
Answer
Adding brine (concentrated sodium chloride solution) increases the sodium ion concentration, shifting the equilibrium to the right. According to Le Chatelier's principle, this adjustment promotes the formation of sodium hydrogen carbonate. Additionally, the increased concentration of sodium ions enhances the rate of the forward reaction, thereby facilitating the production of the solid salt product.