Baking soda and baking powder are examples of which of the following?

• A. Acids
• B. Salts
• C. Bases
• D. Oxidizing agents

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the nature of baking soda and baking powder by examining their chemical composition. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO\_3), and baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate along with an acid salt.
2. Recall the definitions of acids, bases, salts, and oxidizing agents: acids donate protons (H\^+), bases accept protons or release OH\^- ions, salts are ionic compounds formed from acid-base reactions, and oxidizing agents accept electrons in redox reactions.
3. Analyze baking soda (NaHCO\_3): it can react with acids to produce carbon dioxide and water, indicating it acts as a base by accepting protons.
4. Consider baking powder, which contains baking soda and an acid salt; it releases carbon dioxide upon reacting with moisture and heat, showing the basic component (baking soda) is responsible for the reaction.
5. Conclude that both baking soda and the active component in baking powder behave as bases because they neutralize acids and produce carbon dioxide in baking processes.