The chemical name of baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Its chemical formula is NaHCO3, and it is also known as sodium hydrogen carbonate. Baking soda is a white crystalline or powdery solid that is commonly used as a leavening agent in baking. When baking soda reacts with an acid, such as buttermilk, yogurt, brown sugar, or vinegar, it produces carbon dioxide gas, which causes the dough or batter to rise. The reaction can be represented as follows: NaHCO3 + H+ → Na+ + CO2 + H2O.