Sodium acetate facts for kids
Sodium acetate is a common chemical compound. Its scientific formula is CH3COONa. It's known as the sodium salt of acetic acid, which is the main ingredient in vinegar. While it can be a bit irritating if it gets on your skin, sodium acetate is used in many helpful ways.
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What is Sodium Acetate Used For?
Protecting Concrete
Sodium acetate is often used to help protect concrete from water damage. It works like a special paint or coating, called a concrete sealant, that keeps water from getting into the concrete and causing problems. Compared to other materials like epoxy, sodium acetate is usually cheaper and better for the environment.
Other Cool Uses
Sodium acetate has many other interesting uses! For example, it's found in hand warmers. These hand warmers contain a special liquid called a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate. When you click a small metal disc inside the hand warmer, the liquid quickly turns into a solid, a process called crystallization. This change releases heat, making the hand warmer warm and cozy!
It's also used in the food industry as a food additive to give foods a salty or vinegary flavor, and it can help keep food fresh.
How is Sodium Acetate Made?
While you can buy sodium acetate, it can also be made in a science lab. You can create it by mixing acetic acid with other chemicals like sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate (which is baking soda!), or sodium hydroxide.
For making large amounts of sodium acetate for industries, factories usually react acetic acid with sodium hydroxide. They use water to help dissolve everything during this process.
Images for kids
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A hand warmer containing a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate which releases heat upon crystallization.
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A crystal of sodium acetate trihydrate, about 1.7 centimeters long.
See also
In Spanish: Acetato de sodio para niños
