Common salts: washing soda, baking soda, plaster of Paris, bleaching powder
Acids, Bases and Salts (School Level) · Chemistry
Study notes
A baker's cake rises beautifully. Which salt is responsible and how? Step 1: Baking powder contains baking soda (NaHCO₃) plus a mild acid. Step 2: On heating: 2NaHCO₃ → Na₂CO₃ + H₂O + CO₂. Step 3: CO₂ gas forms bubbles in the dough. Step 4: Bubbles expand the batter, making the cake soft and spongy. The salt responsible is baking soda — it releases CO₂ on heating.