baking soda versus baking powder
Part One- Research
Baking soda and baking powder
What is the chemical name for baking soda? The proper chemical name for sodium bicarbonate or baking soda is sodium hydrogen carbonate.{Source 1}
What does baking powder contain? It is made from an alkali, bicarbonate of soda, and an acid, cream of tartar, plus a filler like corn flour or rice flour which absorbs moisture. {Source 2}
How does baking powder work? The powder is activated when liquid is added, producing carbon dioxide and forming bubbles that cause the mixture to expand. For this reason, it is important to get your cake mixture into the oven quickly once the 'wet' ingredients have been added to the 'dry' ingredients. NaHCO3 + KHC4H4O6 ----> KNaC4H4O6 + H2O + CO2. {Source 3}
How does baking soda work? Bicarbonate of soda works by giving off carbon dioxide which expands the mixture. Once the mixture is cooked, the carbon dioxide is replaced by air. {Source 2}During baking, however, there is no chemical reaction with baking soda; instead, heat causes a mechanical reaction. It begins to release CO2 when it reaches a certain temperature. With baking powder, a chemical reaction happens and begins as soon as the wet ingredients are mixed in, at which point CO2 immediately begins being released either rapidly or slowly depending on the type of acid salt in the baking powder. {Source 6}
When using baking powder, acid salts in the baking powder, because they are dry, will not begin to cause the chemical reaction with the baking soda (releasing the CO2) until they come into contact with moisture. The
Baking soda and baking powder
What is the chemical name for baking soda? The proper chemical name for sodium bicarbonate or baking soda is sodium hydrogen carbonate.{Source 1}
What does baking powder contain? It is made from an alkali, bicarbonate of soda, and an acid, cream of tartar, plus a filler like corn flour or rice flour which absorbs moisture. {Source 2}
How does baking powder work? The powder is activated when liquid is added, producing carbon dioxide and forming bubbles that cause the mixture to expand. For this reason, it is important to get your cake mixture into the oven quickly once the 'wet' ingredients have been added to the 'dry' ingredients. NaHCO3 + KHC4H4O6 ----> KNaC4H4O6 + H2O + CO2. {Source 3}
How does baking soda work? Bicarbonate of soda works by giving off carbon dioxide which expands the mixture. Once the mixture is cooked, the carbon dioxide is replaced by air. {Source 2}During baking, however, there is no chemical reaction with baking soda; instead, heat causes a mechanical reaction. It begins to release CO2 when it reaches a certain temperature. With baking powder, a chemical reaction happens and begins as soon as the wet ingredients are mixed in, at which point CO2 immediately begins being released either rapidly or slowly depending on the type of acid salt in the baking powder. {Source 6}
When using baking powder, acid salts in the baking powder, because they are dry, will not begin to cause the chemical reaction with the baking soda (releasing the CO2) until they come into contact with moisture. The