Question

Is baking powder acidic, basic, or neutral? How would you justify your answer?

Answer 1

Baking powder is chemically sodium bicarbonate $(NaHC{O_3})$ , also known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda. Bicarbonates are usually basic in nature. Baking powder is used as a leavening agent to raise the dough in baking.

Complete answer:
Marketed baking powder contains various constituents, the chief component being sodium bicarbonate. The sodium bicarbonate is synthesized by the reaction of sodium chloride, water, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. The product of synthesis includes sodium bicarbonate ( baking powder) and ammonium chloride. The reaction is as given -
$NaCl + N{H_3} + C{O_2} + {H_2}O \to NaHC{O_3} + N{H_4}Cl$
The baking powder on heating gives sodium carbonate, water, and carbon dioxide. The reaction being –
$NaHC{O_3} \to N{a_2}C{O_3} + {H_2}O + C{O_2}$
Bicarbonates, in general, are basic in nature as they turn blue litmus red. Hence, we can conclude that baking powder is basic in nature.

Note:
Baking powder (marketed) contains a mixture of carbonate, bicarbonate, and a weak acid. It also includes cornstarch as a buffering agent. It is used to make the dough fluffy and airy. It shows this action by releasing carbon dioxide as a product of an acid-base reaction. Yeast is the natural leavening agent, baking powder is the synthetic alternative to yeast.