Is sodium carbonate the same as sodium hydroxide?
Simply so, what happens when sodium hydroxide reacts with sodium carbonate?
Explanation: When sodium carbonate is added to sodium hydroxide, no visible reaction is seen to occur. This is because, Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a base, which is itself derived when we dissolve the salt, which is Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) in water.
Similarly one may ask, why is sodium hydrogen carbonate used instead of sodium hydroxide?
Explanation: Both substances will neutralize sulfuric acid perfectly well. But solid sodium hydroxide is more corrosive to human skin than sodium hydrogen carbonate is. So, a spilled solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate will be less caustic than a solution of sodium hydroxide.
Sodium carbonate, a type of soap, is simple salt made up of carbonic acid and sodium. It's more commonly known as washing soda or soda ash, and you can often purchase it at a hardware store. Although it's affordable, there may be times when you prefer to make your own soap.