General Information
Sodium Hydroxide is an base that is commonly known as lye or caustic soda. It absorbs moisture from the air and reacts with carbon dioxide to create sodium carbonate.
It has no odor and comes in the form of either liquid or solid. As a solid, it is a plane white substance that comes in the form of pellets, chips or sticks. In liquid form, it usually comes in the form of an aqueous solution, seeing as it is easier to handle. A solution of Sodium Hydroxide is never created by mixing the water with the compound, seeing as this creates high levels of heat. It is always created by mixing the compound into water.
It has no odor and comes in the form of either liquid or solid. As a solid, it is a plane white substance that comes in the form of pellets, chips or sticks. In liquid form, it usually comes in the form of an aqueous solution, seeing as it is easier to handle. A solution of Sodium Hydroxide is never created by mixing the water with the compound, seeing as this creates high levels of heat. It is always created by mixing the compound into water.
Sodium Hydroxide is also extremely corrosive and can cause serious burns to the skin, eyes or other parts of the body. If it happens to be in the form of a vapor (which is extremely unlikely) it can also cause irritation to the respiratory tract. The compound is also known to have cause cancer in patients who have digested it. Also, if spilled on fabrics, the compound will leave a yellow stain.
Sodium Hydroxide does not occur naturally, but the compound is very inexpensive to to make. It is usually produced in a 50% solution through the electrolysis of Sodium Chloride during which Chlorine Gas is also produced. The water can then be evaporated from the solution to obtain the compound in the form of a solid. It can also be formed through a double displacement reaction between Calcium Hydroxide and Sodium Carbonate. This formula can be seen below:
Ca(OH)2 + Na2CO3 → CaCO3 + 2 NaOH
It is estimated that in 2004, the world produced 60 million metric tons of Sodium Hydroxide, but the demand was only 51 metric tons. It is ranked number 11 out of all the chemicals most produced in the United States.
Ca(OH)2 + Na2CO3 → CaCO3 + 2 NaOH
It is estimated that in 2004, the world produced 60 million metric tons of Sodium Hydroxide, but the demand was only 51 metric tons. It is ranked number 11 out of all the chemicals most produced in the United States.