Which of the following compounds is formed when baking soda is heated?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is: (C) Sodium carbonate

When baking soda (sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO₃) is heated, it undergoes thermal decomposition to form sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), water (H₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂).

The chemical reaction is as follows:

2 NaHCO₃ → Na₂CO₃ + H₂O + CO₂

This reaction is the reason why baking soda is commonly used in baking, as the release of CO₂ gas helps dough rise. Sodium carbonate, also known as soda ash, is the product of this heating process.

Information booster:

• Calcium oxide: Calcium oxide (CaO) is formed when calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is heated, not sodium bicarbonate.

It is commonly used in various industrial processes, but it is not formed from the heating of baking soda.

•  Sodium oxide: Sodium oxide (Na₂O) is not the product of the heating of sodium bicarbonate.

                           Sodium oxide is typically formed when sodium reacts directly with oxygen at high temperatures, not through the thermal decomposition of sodium bicarbonate.

• Sodium hydroxide: Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is not formed when baking soda is heated.

                                  Sodium hydroxide is commonly formed by the electrolysis of sodium chloride (NaCl) or by reacting sodium with water, but it is not produced by heating sodium bicarbonate.