A substance ‘X’ used in the kitchen for making tasty pakoras and is also an ingredient of antacid

A substance ‘X’ used in the kitchen for making tasty pakoras and is also an ingredient of antacid. Name the substance ‘X’.
(a) How does ‘X’ help to make cakes and bread soft and spongy.
(b) Is the pH value of solution of ‘X’ is lesser than or greater than 7.0?

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The substance ‘X’ is NaHCO3 (Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate)
(a) \yhen CO2 gas escapes as bubbles, it leaves behind pores which make the cake or bread soft and spongy.

(b) It is a salt of strong base. So, the pH of the solution will be more than 7.0.