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Sodium hydroxide is one of the alkaline compounds with the chemical formula NaOH. It is also popular with the names white caustic, ascarite, sodium hydrate, lyre, and caustic soda.
- Uses of sodium hydroxide include the manufacturing of paper, detergent, soap, and beverages.
- When the compound comes in contact with water, then it will form a lubricated hot solution.
- Being a strong base, it forms a waxy, opaque, crystal-like texture.
- It is a highly corrosive compound that decomposes into lipids and proteins at ambient temperatures.
- Unblocking drain is another use of sodium hydroxide.
- The compound is used for the formation of a series of hydrates NaOH·nH2O
Key Terms: Uses of Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium, Electrolysis, Hydrogen, Alkaline, Hydroxide, Ions, Aqueous Solution, Saponification
What is Sodium Hydroxide?
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Sodium hydroxide is a corrosive white crystalline base, which is a very reactive metal that burns in contact with water. It is commonly made from the electrolysis of brine, a salt (NaCl) solution.
- During this process, the water (H2O) is reduced to hydrogen gas (H) and hydroxide ion (OH).
- The hydroxide ion bonds with the sodium to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
- The compound forms a covalеnt structure, in which one oxygеn atom is bounded by one hydrogеn atom.
- This results in the formation of a hydroxyl anion, which is later combined with a sodium atom.
- Treatment of water discharged by industries is another uses of sodium hydroxide.
Sodium Hydroxide
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Uses of Sodium Hydroxide
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The uses of sodium hydroxide are as specified:
Sodium hydroxide in Soap
Sodium hydroxide, also popular with the name lye, is one of the ingredients used in the preparation of soap. When fats are hydrolysed with the mixture of alkali, it leads to the formation of salts of fatty acids and glycerol.
- The process of formation of soap is called saponification.
- This results in a beautiful handmade soap.
Uses of Sodium Hydroxide in the Home
Sodium hydroxide is the most commonly used compound in the home. Drain cleaners and oven cleaners also contain the required compound. It is used as a by-product at home.
- The clogged pipes in houses contain fats and grease, which are converted into soap by sodium hydroxide.
- It works in the same manner as soap and is later wiped with the use of a sponge.
Uses of Sodium Hydroxide in the Industry
Sodium hydroxide is also used in the pharmaceutical industry, where it is used to manufacture various drugs like aspirin, which is also a pain reliever. It is used in the manufacturing of blood clotting prevention and cholesterol-reducing medicines.
- Sodium hydroxide is used in the preparation of paper in the paper industry.
- The compound is also used in the manufacturing of aluminium products in the aluminium industry.
Uses of Sodium Hydroxide Solution
Sodium hydroxide is a colourless compound that is much denser than water. When a compound comes into the human hand, it causes irritation in the eyes, skin and mucous membranes. It is used in the preparation of crispy German lye rolls, which are glazed with a sodium hydroxide solution before being placed in the oven.
Other uses of Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide is used for making artificial textile fibres like rayon. It is used to remove sulfurous impurities from poor-quality crude oil. This process of removal is called caustic washing.
- The compound is used to purify bauxite ore from the extracted aluminium metal.
- Sodium hydroxide is even used in degreasing metals, oil refining, and making dyes and bleaches.
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Things To Remember
- Sodium hydroxide is a corrosive white crystalline soda that is used with neutral water and hydrochloric acid to demonstrate the experiment of the pH scale to students.
- The compound is dissociated into sodium ions (Na+) and hydroxidе ions (OH-).
- The viscosity of the compound helps in the storage of the compound.
- Uses of sodium hydroxide involve the processing of chocolate and cocoa.
- It is used in the production of industrial soda ash.
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Sample Questions
Ques. What is sodium hydroxide? (2 marks)
Ans. Sodium hydroxide is a corrosive white crystalline soda. It is a very reactive metal that burns in contact with water. The compound is commonly made from the electrolysis of brine, a salt (NaCl) solution. The IUPAC name of this compound is sodium hydroxide. And the chemical formula of sodium hydroxide is NaOH.
Ques. What are the use of sodium hydroxide? (4 marks)
Ans. Use of sodium hydroxide are as follows:
- Sodium hydroxide is also used in the manufacture of paper.
- It is used for making artificial textile fibers like rayon.
- The compound is used for making soaps and detergents.
- Sodium hydroxide is used to remove sulfurous impurities from poor-quality crude oil.
- This process of removal is called caustic washing.
Ques. How is sodium hydroxide used in industry? (3 marks)
Ans. Use of sodium hydroxide in industry is:
- Sodium hydroxide is used in the pharmaceutical industry.
- It is used in the paper industry.
- It is used in the aluminum industry to manufacture aluminum products.
- The compound is also used in the detergents industry
Ques. What are sodium hydroxide solutions and their uses? (4 marks)
Ans. Sodium hydroxide is a colorless liquid that is much denser than water. When it comes in contact it causes irritation in the eyes, mucous membrane, and skin. The metals, it is corrosive. Uses of sodium hydroxide are:
- Sodium hydroxide helps in the removal of chemicals in vegetables and fruits.
- It helps in the production of caramel color.
- Sodium hydroxide is used in cocoa and chocolate processing.
- It is used in the thickening of ice cream and the processing of soft drinks.
Ques. Explain: (A) What is the melting and boiling point of sodium hydroxide
(B) What is the purest form of sodium hydroxide? (2 marks)
Ans. (A) The boiling point of sodium hydroxide is 1388 °C and the melting point of sodium hydroxide is 318 °C.
(B) The purest form is crystalline and colorless.
Ques. What are the chemical properties of sodium hydroxide? (4 marks)
Ans. The chemical properties of sodium hydroxide are as specified:
- Sodium hydroxide is even used for saponification reactions.
- It reacts with salts of metals which is occurring in the lower position in the electrochemical series.
- The compound reacts with glass and results in the formation of soluble silicates.
- It reacts with acids vigorously to form salts and water.
Ques. What are the chemical properties of sodium hydroxide? (4 marks)
Ans. The physical properties of sodium hydroxide are as specified:
- Sodium hydroxide forms an aqueous solution that is readily but sparingly soluble with a few substances such as methanol and ethanol.
- The purest form is crystalline and colorless.
- The boiling point of sodium hydroxide is 1388 °C.
- The melting point of sodium hydroxide is 318 °C.
- Sodium hydroxide is deliquescent in nature as it absorbs moisture from the air.
Ques. How sodium hydroxide is prepared by using sodium carbonate? (2 marks)
Ans. On a commercial scale, caustic soda, also known as sodium hydroxide, is made by mixing hot lime milk (Ca(OH)2) with an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) in an iron tank.
Na2CO3 + Ca(OH)2 → CaCO3 + 2NaOH
Ques. What are the health hazards of sodium hydroxide? (3 marks)
Ans. The health hazards of sodium hydroxide are as follows:
- Coming in contact with sodium hydroxide results in irritation in the respiratory tract.
- It causes a burning sensation in the skin, thus affecting the eyes.
- The compound will damage the mucous membrane in the nose, lungs, bronchial system, and throat.
- The high concentration of the compound will damage the digestive system, lungs, eyes, and throat.
Ques. What safety measures must be taken while using sodium hydroxide? (3 marks)
Ans. The safety measures that must be taken while using sodium hydroxide are as follows:
- First and foremost, do not mix compounds with acids.
- While using the compound, avoid smelling or consumption of the products.
- Wear gloves, glasses and safety equipment while using the compound.
- Try to avoid coming in contact with your clothes, skin, and eyes.
- Try to avoid inhalation of fumes, smoke, dust, mist, vapour, gases, and aerosols.
Ques. What happens when sodium hydroxide react with the compound protic acid? (2 marks)
Ans. When acids and sodium hydroxide combine, common salt and water are released. Heat is released during an exothermic reaction. As a result, the response is expressed as:
NaOH (aq) + HCL(aq) → NaCL (aq) + H2O (l)
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Comments
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Sodium hydroxide is corrosive but does not become flammable until it comes into contact with water. It reacts with moisture from the air and generates heat as it dissolves in the container in which the compound is placed. The heat generated is enough to cause the eruption of fire if it is near flammable materials.
Sodium hydroxide can be prepared using sodium bicarbonate by heating the mixture at 850 degrees Celsius to create sodium oxide. The sodium oxide mixture is cooled down by the addition of water.
Na2CO3 + Ca(OH)2 \(\rightarrow\) CaCO3 + 2NaOH
The melting and boiling points of sodium hydroxide is 318.4°C and 1390°C respectively.
Sodium hydroxide can be used to treat industrial water. It involves adding acid to the wastewater to neutralize the alkaline nature of the sodium hydroxide. After the solution is neutralized, the wastewater undergoes processes like precipitation, coagulation, and filtration to remove any remaining contaminants.
Sodium hydroxide is also called caustic soda due to its corrosive nature. It is an inorganic compound that consists of Na+ and hydroxide anions OH?. It is a white solid ionic compound that causes a burning sensation when it comes into contact with the skin.
Sodium hydroxide is a type of alkali that is an important component of soap. Soap reacts with fat and undergoes a process called saponification. In this process, sodium hydroxide reacts with the oils and fat of the mixture and converts alkali into soap, thus removing sodium hydroxide from the final product.
Sodium hydroxide can be used to remove skin from fruits and vegetables like tomatoes and potatoes. It is also used as an ingredient in food preservatives to prevent the development of mould and bacteria from growing in food. We can use sodium hydroxide to process chocolate and cocoa and thicken ice cream. It also provides colour to the caramel mixture.