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Acids and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis.

They have a pH greater than 7, see pH.

They will turn red litmus paper blue.

They will react with acids to form a salt and water, see neutralisation.

 

Uses of Alkalis.

1) Sodium hydroxide is used
in the manufacture of paper, soap and ceramics.

2) Calcium hydroxide (called 'slaked lime', or just 'lime'),
is added to soils or lakes to make them less acidic (see acid rain).

3) Indigestion may be caused by too much
hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Indigestion tablets contain a base such as magnesium oxide,
or calcium carbonate to neutralise the acid.

4) A bee sting is acidic.
It may be neutralised by a weak alkali such as ammonia solution.

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