Alkali

Alkali

An alkali is a basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal element. Alkalis are soluble bases that form hydroxide ions (OH⁻) when dissolved in water. They are characterized by their ability to neutralize acids, forming salts and water in the process. Alkalis are typically found in Group 1 and Group 2 of the periodic table.

Properties

Alkalis have several distinctive properties:

• They have a slippery feel.
• They turn red litmus paper blue.
• They have a bitter taste.
• They conduct electricity in aqueous solution.
• They react with acids to form salts and water.

Common Alkalis

Some common alkalis include:

• Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as caustic soda.
• Potassium hydroxide (KOH), also known as caustic potash.
• Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂), also known as slaked lime.
• Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂), often used as an antacid.

Applications

Alkalis have a wide range of applications in various industries:

• In the chemical industry, they are used in the manufacture of soaps, detergents, and bleach.
• In the food industry, they are used in the processing of certain foods.
• In medicine, they are used as antacids to neutralize stomach acid.
• In agriculture, they are used to neutralize acidic soils.

Safety and Handling

Alkalis can be corrosive and should be handled with care. Protective equipment such as gloves and goggles should be worn when working with strong alkalis. In case of contact with skin or eyes, the affected area should be rinsed thoroughly with water.

See Also

• Base (chemistry)
• Acid
• Neutralization (chemistry)
• pH
• Salt (chemistry)
• Litmus test

Related Pages

• Sodium hydroxide
• Potassium hydroxide
• Calcium hydroxide
• Magnesium hydroxide
• Acid-base reaction
• Periodic table