sodium hydroxide
A scientist carefully pours sodium hydroxide into a beaker during an experiment.
Noun: A strongly alkaline, caustic inorganic compound with the chemical formula NaOH. It is a white solid at room temperature, highly soluble in water, and is commonly known as lye or caustic soda. It is a fundamental chemical used in numerous industrial processes.
"Sodium hydroxide" is used as a mass noun. It refers to the specific chemical substance itself. * It is used in the manufacturing of products like soap, paper, and aluminum. * It is used as a cleaning agent or drain cleaner due to its ability to dissolve organic matter. * It is used in chemical laboratories as a common base for titrations and reactions. * It is used in water treatment processes. * Safety Note: Handling requires caution as it is corrosive and can cause severe chemical burns.
- The recipe for traditional soap requires sodium hydroxide to saponify the fats.
- Sodium hydroxide solution is often used to unclog drains.
- In the experiment, we slowly added sodium hydroxide to the acid to neutralize it.
- The factory has strict protocols for storing large quantities of sodium hydroxide.
- "Aqueous sodium hydroxide": Refers specifically to sodium hydroxide dissolved in water, forming a caustic solution.
- The reaction is typically carried out using an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide.
- In technical contexts, its concentration may be specified (e.g., 1M sodium hydroxide, 50% sodium hydroxide solution).
- Caustic soda: A common industrial and commercial name for sodium hydroxide.
- Lye: A traditional name, often referring to sodium hydroxide (or sometimes potassium hydroxide), especially in soap-making and drain cleaning contexts.
- NaOH: The standard chemical formula abbreviation.
- Caustic soda (primary synonym in industry)
- Lye (common in domestic and traditional contexts)
- Base (chemistry): Sodium hydroxide is a classic example of a strong base.
- Alkali: Sodium hydroxide is a strong alkali.
- Corrosive substance: A key hazard classification for sodium hydroxide.
- Saponification: The chemical process in soap-making where sodium hydroxide reacts with fats.
A scientist carefully pours sodium hydroxide into a beaker during an experiment.
- a strongly alkaline caustic used in manufacturing soap and paper and aluminum and various sodium compounds