ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Sodium carbonate

Sodium carbonate is like a special salt that can be used to do different things. It is made up of tiny particles called atoms that come together to make a larger group.

Sodium carbonate is a type of chemical that is usually found in a white powder form. It has a cool name that sounds like something you might find in a science lab or in a movie about space adventures. But actually, it’s a very common chemical that you might even have in your home already!

One thing that sodium carbonate is really good at is cleaning things. It’s often used in products like laundry detergent because it helps get rid of dirt and stains. You could also use it to clean your bathtub or sink because it can break down things like soap scum and rust.

Another thing that sodium carbonate can do is make water more alkaline. This means that the water is less acidic, and can be helpful for certain things like swimming pools. If the water in a pool gets too acidic, it can be bad for people to swim in. So, people use sodium carbonate to raise the pH of the water and make it safer for swimming.

Overall, sodium carbonate is a very useful chemical that can be used for lots of different things. But, it’s important to remember that it’s a chemical, which means it needs to be used carefully and safely!
Related topics others have asked about: