Question

Why is tartaric acid added into baking soda to get baking powder?

Answer 1

Tartaric acid is crystalline white organic acid and it occurs naturally in fruits, grapes etc. It is exclusively used in the fermentation process as well. It is commonly used in The fruits like grapes as an acidulant.

Complete step by step answer:
Baking soda is known by the IUPAC name Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate or the bicarbonate of soda and its molecular formula is $NaHC{O_3}$ this salt is the composition of the cation $(N{a^ + })$ and the anion $(HC{O_3}^ - )$. It appears to be the fine powder but is the crystalline solid. It is similar in taste to that of the washing soda (Sodium carbonate) . It is slightly alkaline in nature. Nahcolite is the natural mineral form of baking soda. It is found in the deposits of mineral springs.

Tartaric acid is added into baking soda to get baking powder in order to neutralize the acidity of the sodium carbonate formed on the decomposition of the sodium hydrogen carbonate on heating. The reaction of the tartaric acid and baking soda is shown below:
$NaHC{O_3} + {C_4}{H_6}{O_6} + 2{H_2}O \to 5C{O_2}(g) + NaOH + 5{H_2}(g)$

In this reaction the bubbles of Carbon dioxide are formed, the two mixtures are used and mixed while making the dough so as to carry out the process of fermentation artificially without using the natural means to carry out the process of fermentation with the help of yeast. The baking soda and the baking powder are the two reagents often confused with the names, both are the leavening agents and are commonly used in the baking. The main difference between the two is that baking soda is alkaline in nature whereas baking powder is both alkaline and acidic in nature.

Note:
The benefits and uses of Baking soda is not only limited to the baking industry it is commonly used in neutralising the acidity of the stomach because of the excessive secretion of the HCl acid in our stomach, baking soda because of its basic nature is used for this process. The main constituent of the ENO commonly used for acidity is this baking soda only.