Please explain why calcium bicarbonate solution produces carbon dioxide when boiled but sodium bicarbonate solution does not.


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This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,

First of all, both do create carbon dioxide - although Sodium Bicarbonate decomposes into sodium carbonate when it reaches it's boiling point.

Calcium bicarbonate Ca(HC03)2 only exists as a solution and is formed when water containing carbonic acid reacts with calcium carbonate. When it evaporates (as through a method such as boiling) the chemical structure breaks down and once again becomes carbon dioxide, water, and calcium carbonate.
CO2(g) + H2O(l) + CaCO3(s).

Sodium bicarbonate NaHCO3 will produce carbon dioxide when exposed to an acid (such as hydrochloric acid)
NaHCO3 + HCl → NaCl + H2O + CO2
or when reaching a temp of 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit). It breaks down into sodium carbonate, water, and carbon dioxide Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2. Anything past that (water's boiling point is 212 degrees Fahrenheit) and it decomposes into sodium carbonate Na2CO3.

Hi Georgia85. Could you clarify one doubt: you mentioned that NAHCO3 decomposed when heated t0 60 degrees celcius. Is it for solid sample of NaHCO3 or for NaHCO3 in solution?
Thanking you in advance