Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a white crystalline powder that is commonly used as a leavening agent in baking.
Related terms
Leavening Agent: A substance that causes dough to rise by producing gas that gets trapped within the mixture. Baking soda is one such agent.
Acid-Base Reaction: This refers to a chemical reaction that occurs between an acid and a base. When baking soda (a base) reacts with an acid (like vinegar), it produces carbon dioxide gas.
Sodium Carbonate: This is another type of salt often used in cooking or cleaning. It's related because when heated, baking soda decomposes into sodium carbonate, water and carbon dioxide.