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This may seem a trivial request of mine, but it is a major part of my health regime,

I add Bicarb (Sodium Bicarbonate - NaHCO3) to Sparkling Water (H2O + CO2 (bubbles) + a weak solution of Carbonic Acid - H2CO3)

There is an effervescent reaction. But I cannot find an explanation of this - using chemical formulae - online.

I do this a lot of this for health reasons - with the approval of my GP. It changes my pH levels from acidic to alkaline/neutral.

So I'd like to know the gas that is released, and the residual solution.

Thank you

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1 Answer 1

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Virtually any powder added to sparkling water, or seltzer, club soda or any other carbonated drink cause outgassing by nucleating bubbles of $\ce{CO2}$. See Chemistry and Physics Stack Exchange, and this talk on YouTube.

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    $\begingroup$ "talk on YouYube" and not some dozen questions about that here? $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Commented Mar 23, 2023 at 23:58
  • $\begingroup$ Thank you. So the gas released is Carbon Dioxide. Is the residual solution Sodium bicarbonate dissolved in water or is there a chemical reaction ? $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 26, 2023 at 12:47
  • $\begingroup$ It's a mixture of dissolved solids and dissolved gases, no reaction is likely. BTW, Your "formula" reminded me of T. Edison's boyhood exploit: he "once persuaded a boy employed by the family to swallow a large quantity of Seidlitz powders in the belief that the gases generated would enable him to fly. The awful agonies of the victim attracted attention..." heritage-history.com/… It seems you're close to reinventing that powder ;-) $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 26, 2023 at 17:07

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