sodium carbonate
noun Chemistry.
Also called soda ash.
an anhydrous, grayish-white, odorless, water-soluble powder, Na2CO3, usually obtained by the Solvay process and containing about 1 percent of impurities consisting of sulfates, chlorides, and bicarbonates of sodium: used in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, soaps, paper, petroleum products, sodium salts, as a cleanser, for bleaching, and in water treatment.
Also called sal soda, soda, washing soda.
the decahydrated form of this salt, Na2CO3⋅10H2O, used similarly.
the monohydrated form of this salt, Na2CO3⋅H2O, used similarly, especially in photography.
Origin of sodium carbonate
First recorded in 1865–70
Words nearby sodium carbonate
British Dictionary definitions for sodium carbonate
sodium carbonate
noun
a colourless or white odourless soluble crystalline compound existing in several hydrated forms and used in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, soap, and paper and as an industrial and domestic cleansing agent. It is made by the Solvay process and commonly obtained as the decahydrate (washing soda or sal soda) or a white anhydrous powder (soda ash). Formula: Na 2 CO 3
See also washing soda, sal soda, soda ash