Tag: chemistry

Calcium hydroxide- $Ca(OH) _2$ is used in the manufacture of bleaching powder. Bleaching powder is used as a disinfectant.

Aluminum hydroxide is an interesting base, because it has a wide number of applications, including its use in antacids. As such, it reacts with and neutralizes stomach acid, and for that reason is found in commercial antacids. It is useful in fire extinguishers as a foaming agent. Aluminum hydroxide is also used in water purification, in dyeing garments, and in the production of certain kinds of glass.

Aqueous potassium hydroxide is employed as the electrolyte in alkaline batteries based on nickel-cadmium, nickel-hydrogen, and manganese dioxide-zinc. Potassium hydroxide is preferred over sodium hydroxide because its solutions are more conductive.

Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) is used in the manufacture of soap. It is used in petroleum-refining; in making medicines, paper, pulp, etc. It is used in making rayon.

Phosphoric acid is used in dentistry and orthodontics as an etching solution, to clean and roughen the surfaces of teeth where dental appliances or fillings will be placed. Phosphoric acid is also an ingredient in over-the-counter anti-nausea medications that also contain high levels of sugar (glucose and fructose). This acid is also used in many teeth whiteners to eliminate plaque that may be on the teeth before application.

Calcium hydroxide is also known as slaked lime. It is mixed with sand and water to make mortar which is used in the construction of buildings. 

Sodium carbonate is a base which is used as washing soda and for softening hard water.

As it is one of the stronger edible acids, the dominant use of citric acid is as a flavoring and preservative in food and beverages, especially soft drinks. Citric acid is a naturally occurring preservative used in many applications including canning, flavoring, cleaning, and even photography development.

A common base used for cleaning is sodium hydroxide, known commonly as lye or caustic soda. It is not to be taken internally, because it is highly damaging to human tissueparticularly the eyes. Lye appears in drain cleaners, such as Drano, and oven cleaners, such as Easy-Off, which make use of its ability to convert fats to water-soluble soap.

Baking soda, known by chemists both as sodium bicarbonate and sodium hydrogen carbonate, is another example of a base with multiple purposes. The reaction of the acid and the baking soda produces carbon dioxide, which causes dough and batters to rise.