Soda Lime: Formula, Properties, Composition and Uses

Ans. Soda lime is a crystalline solid, made from the calcium hydroxide and sodium or potassium Hydroxide. It is white or grey white in colour. Soda lime is the common name of Sodium Calcium Hydrate, and can be represented as- CaHNaO₂.

In normal state, soda lime absorbs the CO₂ and deteriorates quickly. It reacts with both-tissues and metals.

Ans. Soda lime is a crystalline solid that is made from the calcium hydroxide and sodium or potassium Hydroxide. Hence, there are four components of soda lime, those are-

1. Calcium Oxide, CaO (about 75%)
2. Water, H2O (about 20%)
3. Sodium Hydroxide, NaOH (about 3%)
4. Potassium Hydroxide, KOH (about 1%)

Ans. The chemical property can be defined as those characteristics of a particular substance, which we can observe while any chemical reactions.

Here are the most prominent chemical characteristics of soda lime-

Density, ρ (g/cm3)- 2.5

Thermal conductivity, k (W/m·°C)- 1.06

Specific heat, CP (J/g·°C)- 0.87

Softening point (°C) ≈ 700

Melting temperature, TM (°C) ≈ 1000

Vaporization temperature, TV (°C) ≈ 3427

Ans. Soda lime is created by the combination of NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide) and CaO (Calcium Oxide). It is incombustible and mixable in nature. We know that, in normal state soda lime absorbs the CO₂ and deteriorates quickly. It reacts with both-tissues and metals.

Therefore, there are some common uses of soda lime, such as-

1. Ans. Soda lime is used in chemical industry as it can absorb CO₂.
2. In laboratories, it is used to prepare Methane gas.
3. The presence of nitrogen in any kind of organic elements can be identified by using soda lime, for this we need to heat up a little amount of that particular organic element with soda lime. This will release Ammonia gas if there is any nitrogen present in that element.

1. Use of soda lime in medical field is well known. It is used in the process of anaesthesia and can also be used as rebreather.

Ans. Here are the basic differences of lime and soda lime-

1. Whereas, soda lime is actually CaHNaO₂, and soluble in water, Lime water is a diluted solution of Ca(OH)₂.
2. Soda lime contains NaOH₂ and CaO- also known as caustic soda and quicklime. But Lime water is actually Citrus, diluted in water.
3. We know that as soda lime can react with both- tissues and metals, it is harmful for our health, specially for liver, kidney and gastronomical tract. Whereas, Lime is citrus and it is helpful for health.

Ans. The four most important characteristics of soda lime are-

1. Soda lime can absorb CO₂ and it is soluble in water.
2. It is highly reactive towards both- tissues and metals.
3. The pH of soda lime is higher than 13 which means it is alkaline.
4. It releases toxic gases, hence, can be dangerous to health.

Ans. Ca(OH)₂ is the chemical symbol of Calcium Hydroxide. This is commonly known as slaked lime. Being an inorganic element, it is white in strong state but it appears to be dull in its crystalline form.

Calcium Hydroxide can be made by mixing water with Calcium Oxide.

Ans. Soda lime is a highly reactive element. We know that it is soluble in water and absorbs CO₂. Hence, if we keep soda lime in the open air, it will eventually interact with the moisture in air and create a toxic vapour. This vapour is too dangerous for human tissues. Even a small amount of this vapour can damage our respiratory system.

Ans. Soda lime and soda lime glass are completely two different elements. Soda lime is a chemical, whereas the soda lime glass is a glass that is being used in making glass bottles and windows. We know that, soda lime is highly reactive and hence unstable, but the soda lime glass is more stable.

Ans. The differences between the cold lime soda process and the hot lime soda process are-

1. Cold lime soda process can be done in the room temperature, whereas, the hot lime soda process needs a higher temperature of 100^oC.
2. The reaction rate for cold lime Soda process is moderate. But the reaction rate for hot lime soda process is quick.
3. In the case of cold lime process, the gases that are dissolved, do not need to be eliminated but in the case of hot lime soda process, the dissolved gases are eliminated.
4. The filtration process for cold lime soda process is difficult whereas it is easier and faster in the case of hot lime soda process.