How do sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogen carbonate differ in their chemical compositions?

Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) and sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO₃) differ in their chemical compositions. Sodium carbonate is a salt composed of two sodium ions (Na⁺) and one carbonate ion (CO₃²⁻). In contrast, sodium hydrogen carbonate, also known as baking soda, consists of one sodium ion, one hydrogen ion (H⁺), one carbonate ion, and one additional hydrogen ion attached to the carbonate ion (HCO₃⁻). The hydrogen ion makes sodium hydrogen carbonate a weak acid, contributing to its ability to act as a leavening agent in baking when it releases carbon dioxide upon reacting with acids in dough or batter.