Baking soda is a leavening agent used in baked goods like cakes, muffins, and cookies. It is also known as sodium bicarbonate(NaHCO3),is a white crystalline powder that is naturally alkaline, or basic. Baking soda becomes activated when it’s combined with both an acidic ingredient and a liquid like yogurt, vinegar/lemon juice in case of cake batter. When it activates after coming in contact with a liquid, carbon dioxide is produced, which results in the rise in baked goods and makes them light and fluffy!