Definition

Noun: 1. A chemical compound: A white, poisonous, crystalline solid with the chemical formula Ba(OH)₂. It is formed by dissolving barium oxide (BaO) in water.

Usage

• Barium hydroxide is used in laboratories as a strong base for titrations.
• The solubility of barium hydroxide in water increases with temperature.
• Handling barium hydroxide requires protective equipment due to its toxicity.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Barium hydroxide is commonly used to test for the presence of carbonate ions.
  • The chemist prepared a solution of barium hydroxide for the experiment.
  • The clear solution became cloudy when barium hydroxide was added, indicating a chemical reaction.

Advanced Usage

• "Barium hydroxide octahydrate": The common hydrated form of the compound, Ba(OH)₂·8H₂O, which are the crystals typically encountered.
  • The barium hydroxide octahydrate crystals were carefully weighed on the scale.

Variants and Related Words

• Baryta: An older or industrial term sometimes used for barium oxide or barium hydroxide.
• Caustic baryta: A historical name highlighting its corrosive, basic (alkaline) properties.

Synonyms

• Barium dihydroxide: A systematic name based on its composition.
• Baryta water: Refers specifically to an aqueous solution of barium hydroxide.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning is the specific chemical compound. In industrial or historical contexts, related terms like "baryta" may be used interchangeably, but in precise scientific contexts, "barium hydroxide" refers specifically to Ba(OH)₂.

Noun

1. white poisonous crystals; made by dissolving barium oxide in water