What do you understand by an alkali? Give two examples of strong alkalis.

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Detailed Solution

An alkali is a base that dissolves in water to produce hydroxide ions (OH⁻). All alkalis are bases, but not all bases are alkalis.

Alkalis have a pH greater than 7 and turn red litmus paper blue.
They are typically soluble hydroxides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.

Strong alkalis:

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) — Used in soap making, paper production, and as a strong cleaning agent.
Potassium hydroxide (KOH) — Used in fertilizers, alkaline batteries, and liquid soaps.

Properties of strong alkalis:

Safety note: Always handle strong alkalis with gloves and eye protection because of their caustic nature.

Exam point: Weak alkalis (like ammonium hydroxide) only partially dissociate in water, producing fewer OH⁻ ions.

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