Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium Bicarbonate occurs as a white, crystalline powder. It is stable in dry air, but it slowly decomposes in moist air. One gram dissolves in 10 mL of water. It is insoluble in alcohol. Its solutions, when freshly prepared with cold water without shaking, are alkaline to litmus. The alkalinity increases as the solutions stand, are agitated, or are heated.
Function: pH control agent; leavening agent.