· Soda ash (Na2CO3), is also called sal soda, washing soda, or by its chemical name, sodium carbonate. Soda ash can be in either a crystal or powder form.

· Soda ash has a strong alkaline reaction, meaning it neutralizes acids.

· Soda ash is such an important commodity, that the Federal Reserve Board uses it as a national economic indicator.

· Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) is the popular soda used for cooking and medicines, and is also known as baking soda or saleratus. Baking powder also contains sodium bicarbonate, which acts as a leavening agent and causes foods to rise when baking.

· Sodium Hydroxide, or caustic soda is used to manufacture industrial chemicals, rayon, paper, soap, to produce aluminum, and in petroleum refining.

· Physical Characteristics of Trona, also known as Hydrated Sodium Bicarbonate Carbonate (Na3CO3(HCO3) - 2H2O)

· Color - grey, white, colorless, pale brown or yellowish

· Luster - Dull, vitreous

· Crystal system - monoclinic: 2/m

· Habits - prismatic to blocky crystals, but usually massive, fibrous or columnar, crystals are transparent to translucent

· Fracture - subconchoidal to uneven

· Hardness - 2.5-3 - finger nail

· Specific Gravity - approximately 2.1g/cm3

· Streak - white

· Associate Minerals - aegirine, calcite, flourite, galena, pectolite, sodalite, and villiaumite

· Distinguishing Features - has alkaline taste

· Density - 2.112

· Molecular weight - 226.03 gm

· Melting point - Decomposes beginning at 70 degreesC (158 degrees F)

· Solubility - 13gm/100ml at 0 degrees C, 42gm/100ml at 100 degrees C

· Hazardous decomposition products - Carbon dioxide (CO2) and heat are involved when mixed with acid

· Composition

Element	Symbol	Percentage
Sodium	Na	30.51%
Hydrogen	H	2.23%
Carbon	C	10.63%
Oxygen	O	56.63%