How does the product look like when you mix sodium bicarbonate with calcium chloride?

Answer 1

How does it LOOK? Variations of this question have been posted over the last 3-4 days. I ASSUME the point is that we should see a white precipitate (insoluble material) of CaCO3 form. However, there is little carbonate ion in the solution from this mixture and, personally, I don't think any CaCO3 will form. Calcium BICARBONATE, [Ca(HCO3)2] is soluble; therefore, I don't think there will be any change in appearance for I don't think there will be a reaction.
CaCl2 + NaHCO3 ==> No reaction, I think.
Check my thinking. I shall be happy to listen to alternative reasoning; however, I think it will sit there and look back.
On more thought, there MAY be a way to get something else out of it. Bicarbonate, and it's essentially independent of concentration, produces a pH of about 8.3 (not very high so pOH is not very high) and NaHCO3 will produce a pH of about 8.3 when placed in water. IF the CaCl2 concentration is high enough, we MIGHT get a ppt of Ca(OH)2 but Ca(OH)2 is fairly soluble (1 L of pure water will dissolve about 1 gram of calcium hydroxide). Try it. Mix a handful of CaCl2 with a handful of baking soda and about a cup of water and see if that is enough to ppt Ca(OH)2. I don't know that I've tried this; I don't know if a ppt will form or not.

Answer 2

I did a quick calculation and I don't think it is feasible to get a high enough calcium concentration to form a ppt of Ca(OH)2. So my original thoughts are not changed; I think the solution will look back at you. If you find out differently, or anyone thinks differently, please let me know.