2006-11-10 00:41:01 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Insect stings are usually caused by injecting acid which neutralized by alkaline or baking soda!!
2006-11-10 00:56:44 · answer #1 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ant stings (and hornets) are treated with Baking Soda (and Baking Powder) because ant stings are acidic and Baking Soda and Powder are bases (Baking Soda is a stronger base than Powder). Bases and Acids, when mixed neutralize each other leading to an "aahhhhh".
Get an "A".
2006-11-10 12:18:53 · answer #2 · answered by teachr 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is only a misunderstanding that the bites can be soothed by baking powder. Formic acid is a "Soft base" and cant react with the "hard base - baking soda" which is under the skin!!!! Skin never allows anything to penetrate and the sting hole almost immediatly closes due to the local swelling of the site. So I suggest never try this whenever (if ever) you are stung......You'll get bad rahses and torn skin.
2006-11-10 01:37:03 · answer #3 · answered by chemist 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
baking powder is a weak base hydrogen carbonate. it neutralizes the formic acid in the ant sting
2006-11-10 04:13:45 · answer #4 · answered by shiara_blade 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ant stings are acidic as ants naturally produce formic acid.
baking soda is alkaline so the alkaline qualities cancel out the irritation caused by the acid and balance out the ph.
i know these things because iwas an ant in a previous life......or was that an a*se ??? i cannot remember !!!!
2006-11-10 10:39:01 · answer #5 · answered by charlie_gilmour 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ant stings contain an aid which is neutralised by baking powder
2006-11-10 00:56:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ants sting with formic acid. Baking powder will neutralise this acid
2006-11-10 00:44:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ant bites contain formic acid. Since acids are neutralized by bases, baking soda (NaOH) is the best choice to treat these bites with.
2006-11-10 01:31:55 · answer #8 · answered by larkinfan11 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
normally ants don't sting they bite, it takes the itchiness away
2006-11-10 10:37:09 · answer #9 · answered by Mary Smith 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It gives your mum or dad something to do and you feel better having a bit of a fuss made over you.
Best of luck
2006-11-10 10:36:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋