Give an account of the properties of washing soda.

Explanation

Properties of washing soda:
`Na_2CO_3` is a white crystalline solid.
`Na_2CO_3` exists as a decahydrate `Na_2CO_3.10 H_2O` which is called washing soda.
`Na_2CO_3` is readily soluble in water.
`Na_2CO_3` (deca hydrate) when heated in loses the water molecules and forms monohydrate. This monohydrate on heating above 373 K it anhydrous form which is called soda ash, a white powder.
Reactions:
`Na_2CO_3. 10H_2O overset(373K) to underset("Monohydrate")(Na_2CO_3.H_2O +9H_2O)`
`underset("monohydrate")(Na_(2)CO_(3).H_(2)O)overset(gt373K)tounderset("Soda ash")(Na_(2)CO_(3))+H_(2)O`
`toNa_2CO_3` (aq) solution is alkaline (basic) in nature Because it under goes anionic hydrolysis. `(Ph gt 7)`
`CO_3^(-2) +H_2O to HCO_3^(-)+OH^-`