effervescent salts

ef·fer·ves·cent salts

preparations made by adding sodium bicarbonate and tartaric and citric acids to the active salt; when thrown into water the acids break up the sodium bicarbonate, setting free the carbonic acid gas.

ef·fer·ves·cent salts

(ef'ĕr-ves'ĕnt sawlts) Preparations made by adding sodium bicarbonate and tartaric and citric acids to the active salt; when thrown into water, the acids break up the sodium bicarbonate, setting free carbonic acid gas.