potash alum
Definition
Noun: 1. A specific chemical compound: A white, crystalline, water-soluble solid. It is the potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate, with the chemical formula KAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O. It is a type of alum.
Usage
- Potash alum is used as an astringent, in water purification, in leather tanning, and in baking powder.
- It is commonly found in the form of clear, octahedral crystals.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- In Chemistry: The term "potash alum" specifies the potassium-containing member of the alum family, distinguishing it from other alums like ammonium alum (NH₄Al(SO₄)₂·12H₂O).
- Historical Context: The name derives from "potash," an old term for potassium carbonate, which was originally derived from wood ashes, and "alumen," the Latin word for alum.
Variants and Related Words
- Alum: A more general term for a class of double sulfate salts of aluminum. "Potash alum" is a specific type of alum.
- Potassium alum: A synonym for potash alum.
- Aluminum potassium sulfate: The systematic chemical name.
Synonyms
- Potassium alum
- Aluminum potassium sulfate dodecahydrate
Notes
- It is important not to confuse potash alum with other substances simply called "alum," such as ammonium alum or sodium alum, which have different chemical compositions and properties.
Noun
-
a white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum: the potassium double sulfate of aluminum
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