Sodium hydroxide
- Neutralisation = a reaction between an acid and a base/alkali to produce salt and water only.
- Acid + alkali –> salt + water
- Ionic equation of neutralisation: H+(aq) + OH-(aq) –> H2O(l)
| Digestive juices in stomach | Break up food (only in acidic condition) and maintained at pH of between 1 and 2, |
| Insect stings | Bees and ants inject an acidic liquid into the skin but wasps inject an alkaline liquid. |
| Toothpaste | An alkaline compound (magnesium hydroxide) in toothpastes neutralises the organic acids produced by the food. |
| pH of the swimming pool | Calcium hypochlorite, Ca(OCl)2 is added to the water. |
| Latex industries | Ammonia is used to neutralise the organic acid produces by bacteria to prevent coagulation. |
| Neutralisation | Manufacture fertilisers, soaps and detergents |
| Effluent from factories | It can be treated with lime. |
| Sulphuric acid | Manufacture of dyes, explosives, steel, fertilisers, paints and plastics. |
| Soil treatment | Plants grow best when the pH of the soil is about 7. The soil is too acidic, quick lime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) is added to the soil to neutralise the excess acid. |
