Give two important uses of washing soda (or sodium carbonate).

State whether an aqueous solution of washing soda is acidic or alkaline? Give reason for your answer.

What is meant by saying that washing soda has detergent properties?

What is bleaching powder? How is bleaching powder prepared? Write chemical equation of the reaction involved in the preparation of bleaching powder.

What happens when bleaching powder reacts with dilute sulphuric acid? Give equation of the reaction involved.