Science — AI-generated practice question

When baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) is heated, it decomposes to form sodium carbonate, carbon dioxide, and water. This is a thermal decomposition reaction.

$$2\text{NaHCO}_3(s) \xrightarrow{\Delta} \text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3(s) + \text{CO}_2(g) + \text{H}_2\text{O}(g)$$

Source: Acids, Bases and Salts, Chapter 2

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• 1 mark for stating the products (sodium carbonate, CO₂, water) / identifying it as decomposition.
• 1 mark for the correctly balanced chemical equation with state symbols.
• Always include the heat symbol (Δ) above the arrow to show thermal decomposition.
• State symbols — (s), (g) — are expected and may cost a mark if missing.