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Common substances, their chemical names and basic concepts of chemistry — a high-yield quick reference for competitive exams.
| Common Name | Chemical Name (Formula) |
|---|---|
| Common salt | Sodium chloride (NaCl) |
| Baking soda | Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) |
| Washing soda | Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) |
| Quicklime | Calcium oxide (CaO) |
| Slaked lime | Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) |
| Chalk / Marble | Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) |
| Vinegar | Acetic acid (CH₃COOH) |
| Laughing gas | Nitrous oxide (N₂O) |
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Element | A pure substance made of only one kind of atom (e.g. oxygen, gold) |
| Compound | Two or more elements chemically combined (e.g. water) |
| Mixture | Substances physically combined (e.g. air) |
| Acid | Releases H⁺ ions; turns blue litmus red (pH < 7) |
| Base | Releases OH⁻ ions; turns red litmus blue (pH > 7) |
| pH 7 | Neutral (e.g. pure water) |