What is alkali in?

Answer 1

An Alkali is a soluble Base.

A Base is the Oxide of a metal , Usually Group (I) or (II) metals.

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is an Alkali.

Any chemical that has the formula (M-OH) , (M-(OH)2) et.seq. is an hydroxide. However, not all hydroxides are soluble. , so they are not all alkalis.

The word 'Alkali' is Arabic in origin. 'al qally, meaning the 'calcined ashes'. from baking and dissolving calcined salts.

So dissolving sodium oxide (a base) in water forms sodium hydroxide (an alkali).

Na2O + H2O = 2NaOH

Alkalis are not readily found in the home, because of their corrosive nature.

However, sodium hydroxide crystals can be purchased and used for drain clearance.

Soap to wash with is a sodium salt, made from boiling sodium hydroxide(lye) and palm oil of olive oil.

Soap will NOT dissolve in Salt water, owing to the common ion effect (Na^(+)). So to make soap lather in salt water . the soap is actually 'potassium salt'. Potassium soap is made from potassium hydroxide and the above oils.

Answer 2

Alkali refers to a group of basic compounds that dissolve in water to form hydroxide ions. These compounds are the opposite of acids on the pH scale. Examples of alkalis include sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH).

Answer 3

It is in soap

That is what makes it slippery