THE PREPARATORY PATHWAY
Substances in Common Use
DHBBVC - FY1
The ionic compounds that do not contain H+ and OH- ions and contain only
one kind of cation and anion are called simple salts.
For example, Na2SO4, K3PO4, CaCl2.
Sodium chloride-(Table salt- NaCl)
Sodium chloride is formed by a neutralisation reaction between sodium
hydroxide and hydrochloric acid.
Common salt is a colourless and crystalline ionic compound. There is
no water of crystallization in its crystalline structure.
This compound is used for the production of salts like Na2CO3, and
NaHCO3.
When an electric current is passed through a saturated solution of
sodium chloride (brine) it is electrolysed and hydrogen gas is released
at the cathode while chlorine gas is released at the anode.
2NaCl + 2H2O →2NaOH + Cl2 + H2↑
When fused salt is electrolysed, chlorine gas is released at the anode
and liquid sodium metal, at the cathode.
The mineral halite and Himalayan rock salt are some examples of
rock salt.
The 25% aqueous solution of salt is called saturated brine.
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Sodium bicarbonate (Baking soda –NaHCO3)
Baking soda is a white non crystalline powder.
Properties and uses
NaHCO3 reacts with moist litmus paper and red litmus turns blue
which means that it is basic in nature.
It is used to make bread, cake, dhokla.
Being basic in nature it is used to reduce acidity in the stomach.
NaHCO3 is used to make the active substance CO2 in the fire
extinguisher.
Baking soda is used to clean an oven.
Bleaching powder (Calcium oxychloride CaOCl2)
Bleaching powder is obtained by the reaction of chlorine gas with slaked
lime.
Ca(OH)2 + Cl2 → CaOCl2 + H2O
Chlorine gas is a strong oxidizing agent and therefore, it has a strong
disinfecting as well as bleaching action.
Bleaching powder undergoes slow decomposition due to the carbon
dioxide in air and chlorine gas is released.
Bleaching powder gets its property because of this release of chlorine
gas.
CaOCl2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + Cl2↑
Properties and uses
Bleaching powder is a yellowish white coloured solid substance.
Its chemical name is calcium oxychloride.
It has a strong odour of chlorine gas.
It is used for disinfection of drinking water at the water works and
the water in the swimming pool.
It is used for bleaching of cloth.
It is used for disinfection by the road side and garbage sites.
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Dilute sulphuric acid and dilute hydrochloric acid react rapidly with
bleaching powder to release chlorine gas completely.
CaOCl2 + H2SO4 →CaSO4 + Cl2 + H2O
Calcium oxychloride reacts slowly with carbon dioxide to form calcium
carbonate and chlorine.
Washing soda (Na2CO3.H2O)
The hardness of water is due to the presence of chlorides and
sulphates of calcium and magnesium in it.
Na2CO3 is added to it to soften such water and make it suitable for
use. The reaction with Na2CO3 causes the formation of insoluble
carbonate salts of magnesium and calcium.
Sodium carbonate is a water-soluble salt of sodium. Crystalline
sodium carbonate, on keeping, loses its water of crystallization
readily and a white powder is obtained. This powder is called washing
soda.
MgCl2 (aq)+ Na2CO3 (s) →MgCO3(s) + 2 NaCl (s)
−𝐻2𝑂
Na2CO3 .10 → Na2CO3 .H2O
White powder (washing soda)
Properties and uses
Washing soda is a whitish and odourless powder at room
temperature.
Litmus has a blue colour in its aqueous solution.
It is hygroscopic, that is, it absorbs moisture if left exposed to air.
It is used mainly for washing clothes.
Sodium carbonate is used in the glass and paper industry and also in
refining of petrol.
Some substances in our daily use which contain water of
crystallization
Alum (Potash alum - K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3 .24H2O )
Borax (Na2B4O7.10H2O)
Epsom salt (Magnesium sulphate MgSO4.7H2O)
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Barium chloride (BaCl2.2H2O)
Sodium sulphate (Glauber’s salt Na2SO4.10 H2O)
When oil or animal fat is boiled with an aqueous solution of sodium
or potassium hydroxide, sodium or potassium salts of carboxylic acids
(fatty acids) are formed.
These salts are called soap. When soap is mixed with hard water
calcium and magnesium salts of fatty acids are formed.
The French scientist Henry Becquerel was studying pitchblende, a
compound of uranium.
Alpha, Beta and Gamma rays
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The elements with atomic numbers from 82 to 92 are found to radiate
spontaneously in nature. These are called natural radioactive
elements.
Internal cracks and voids in cast iron articles and iron solder can be
detected with the help of gamma rays. For this purpose, isotopes like
cobalt-60, and iridium-192 are used in the radiography camera. This
technique is used for detecting flaws in metalwork.
The radioactive substances radium, promethium, tritium with some
phosphor are used to make certain objects visible in the dark, for
example, the hands of a clock.
Krypton-85 is used in HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lamps while
promethium-147 is used in portable X-ray units as the source of beta
rays.
Uranium oxide was used in these paints.
Cobalt-60 is used for food preservation.
Strontium-90 is used as a tracer in the research on various crops.
Phosphorus-32 is used in polycythaemia treatment.
Strontium-89, strontium-90, samarium-153 and radium-223 are
used in the treatment of bone cancer.
Iodine-123 is used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism.
Boron-10, iodine-131, and cobalt-60 are used in the treatment of
brain tumours, while arsenic-74 is used in the detection of small
tumours in the body.
Food colours added to pickles, jam and sauce contain small quantities
of lead and mercury.
Tetrazene and sunset yellow are artificial food colours used
extensively.
