What is sodium hydroxide?
Q: What is sodium hydroxide?
A: Sodium hydroxide is an alkali (also known as caustic soda) with the chemical formula of NaOH.
Q: Why is caustic soda called "caustic"?
A: "Caustic" means "burning", and caustic soda takes its name from the way it can burn the skin.
Q: What does sodium hydroxide do to the pH of a solution?
A: Sodium hydroxide is commonly used to raise the pH of solutions, for example, to neutralize an acid.
Q: What happens when sodium hydroxide dissolves in water?
A: Sodium hydroxide dissolves easily in water and makes the water warm.
Q: What is lye?
A: Lye is a solution made from sodium hydroxide that is commonly used to make soap.
Q: What is the purpose of using lye to make soap?
A: Lye works in two ways: it combines with grease to make soap, and it dissolves hair (which is soluble in any basic solution).
Q: What are some other common uses of sodium hydroxide?
A: Sodium hydroxide (as lye) is also commonly used to unclog drains due to its dissolving properties and ability to easily break surface tension.
