Question

1. sodium bicarbonate (nahco₃) is added to cake mixes before baking. as the cake is baking, the bicarbonate reacts to produce liquid water, sodium ion, and carbon dioxide gas. why is sodium bicarbonate added to cake mixes? a. the sodium ion makes the cake salty. b. the liquid water makes the cake moist. c. the carbon dioxide gas bubbles make the cake fluffy. d. the unreacted sodium bicarbonate makes the cake sweet.

Explanation:

When sodium bicarbonate reacts during baking, it produces carbon dioxide gas. In baking, gases like carbon dioxide form bubbles. These bubbles cause the cake batter to expand, making the cake fluffy.

• Option A: Sodium ion's role in making cake salty is not relevant to why sodium bicarbonate is added.
• Option B: Liquid water in baking is not the main reason for adding sodium bicarbonate.
• Option D: Sodium bicarbonate itself is not sweet, and unreacted sodium bicarbonate is not the reason for adding it.

Answer:

C. The carbon dioxide gas bubbles make the cake fluffy.