What is the Difference Between Sodium Carbonate and Sodium Percarbonate?

Sodium carbonate and sodium percarbonate are both inorganic compounds, but they have different chemical structures and properties. The key differences between them are:

1. Chemical Structure: Sodium carbonate has the chemical formula Na2CO3, while sodium percarbonate is an adduct of sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide, with the formula Na2H3CO6.
2. Appearance: Sodium carbonate is a white crystalline powder, while sodium percarbonate is a colorless crystalline solid.
3. Oxidizing Properties: Sodium percarbonate is a moderately strong oxidizer, as it contains hydrogen peroxide. Sodium carbonate does not have oxidizing properties.
4. Usage: Sodium carbonate is used in the manufacture of glass, paper, rayon, soaps, detergents, and as a water softener. Sodium percarbonate is used as an oxidizing agent, an ingredient in detergents, and in organic synthesis processes as a source of anhydrous hydrogen peroxide.

Both sodium carbonate and sodium percarbonate are poisons, and exposure to them can cause various health issues, such as breathing problems, throat swelling, collapse, diarrhea, eye irritation, and redness. However, sodium percarbonate is considered a more effective cleaning agent due to its oxidizing properties. In household laundry applications, sodium percarbonate is known to whiten laundry better than sodium carbonate.

Comparative Table: Sodium Carbonate vs Sodium Percarbonate

Here is a table comparing the differences between sodium carbonate and sodium percarbonate:

Sodium carbonate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Na₂CO₃ and is used in the manufacture of glass, paper, rayon, soaps, and detergents. Sodium percarbonate, on the other hand, is an adduct of sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide and is used as a moderately strong oxidizer in household cleaning and laundry products.