Uses of Sodium Hydroxide: Overview, Questions, Preparation

This chapter has multiple topics listed below:

Acids, Bases and Salts Acid Strength Difference between Acid and Bas...Examples of Bases Zinc carbonate Zinc Nitrate Aluminium Phosphate Aspartic Acid Butyric Acid Tannic acid Uses of Folic Acid Uses of Acetic Acid Lactic Acid formula Uses of Citric Acid Magnesium Nitrate Barium Iodide Dilute Acids Magnesium Phosphate Uses of Hydrochloric Acid List of Strong Acids Butanoic Acid Sodium Chlorate Barium Carbonate Chloroacetic Acid Magnesium Bicarbonate Red Cabbage Indicator Sodium Hexametaphosphate Zinc Hydroxide Potassium Iodate Peroxydisulfuric Acid Ph of Acids and Bases Potassium Bromate Weak Acid Examples Weak Bases Magnesium Hydroxide Monosodium Glutamate Potassium Hydroxide Nitrous Acid Henderson Hasselbalch Equation Difference between Alkali and B...Properties of Bases Sodium Citrate Ammonium Phosphate Chemical Indicators Chromic Acid Perchloric Acid Uses of Sodium Hydroxide Zinc Acetate

Yamini Saini

Updated on Jun 30, 2021 09:48 IST

Sodium hydroxide is called caustic soda or lye. In cleaners and soaps, it is a natural ingredient. Sodium hydroxide is a white, odourless solid at room temperature. Liquid sodium hydroxide has no odour and is colourless. With strong acids and with water, it can react violently. There is corrosive sodium hydroxide. NaOH can react with air moisture and, as it dissolves, can generate heat. When it is near flammable materials, this heat can be enough to cause a fire. With its ability to modify fats, sodium hydroxide is useful.

Table of Contents

Uses of Sodium Hydroxide
Illustrated Examples
FAQs on Uses of Sodium Hydroxide

Uses of Sodium Hydroxide

In bar soaps and detergents, sodium hydroxide is utilised. Sodium Hydroxide is also used to unclog pipes as a drain cleaner. The industry uses approximately 56 percent of the sodium hydroxide produced, with 25% of the NaOH used in the paper industry. Other uses include the production of fuel cells, food healing, skin removal from canning vegetables, bleaching, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, soaps, detergent, paper making, paper recycling, aluminium ore processing, oxide coating, cotton fabric processing, pickling, pain relievers, anticoagulants to prevent blood clots, drugs that reduce cholesterol, and water treatment.

Exposure to sodium hydroxide in its solid or solution form can cause skin and eye irritation due to its strong corrosive qualities. Workers should follow product safety instructions in establishments where sodium hydroxide is manufactured or used.

Uses of sodium hydroxide in Class 10

In Class 10, you will learn only the basics of Sodium Hydroxide.

Uses of sodium hydroxide in Class 11

In Class 11, in the numerical chemistry chapters, you are going to solve a lot of questions related to sodium hydroxide. In the S-block element chapter, you will learn in detail about sodium and its compound. Chapter weightage is a part of 20 marks.

Uses of sodium hydroxide in Class 12

Application of sodium Hydroxide and what are the different reactions under which it undergoes.

Illustrated Examples

What sort of reaction is sodium hydroxide?

When it is mixed with ammonia, sodium hydroxide undergoes a neutralisation reaction. In certain sectors, including water treatment, this makes it well-suited as a pH regulator because of its capacity to neutralise or regulate acidity. To create water and ionic complex, NaOH reacts with acid.

Is bleach sodium hydroxide?

Sodium hypochlorite is a sodium hydroxide-dissolved chlorine gas. It is kitchen chlorine in nature. Chlorine gas can be emitted if hypochlorite is exposed to acid.

Is sodium hydroxide the same as soda for baking?

Another name for sodium hydroxide is caustic soda. Though baking soda is a cooking soda, that is, sodium bicarbonate, it is used in soap and detergents.

FAQs on Uses of Sodium Hydroxide

Q. In skincare, what is sodium hydroxide used for?

A. Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, is a strongly alkaline ingredient used in cosmetics in small quantities to assess and hold a substance’s pH. It is also used as an agent that cleanses and denatures. It's a big skin sensitiser in high concentrations.

Q. Is sodium hydroxide harmful?

A. Sodium hydroxide is severely corrosive and annoying. It can cause serious burns and irreversible damage to any tissue it comes into contact with.

Q. How do you use sodium hydroxide for cleaning?

A. It is applied to water, heated, and then used to clean machinery for manufacturing, storage tanks, etc. Grease, oils, fats, and protein-based deposits can be dissolved.

Q. Is sodium hydroxide a disinfectant?

A. It is considered an effective disinfectant against FMD. As a cleanser, it is more effective than a disinfectant, as it loses potency against certain bacteria and most viruses.

Q. Why does sodium hydroxide matter?

A. With its ability to modify fats, sodium hydroxide is useful. It is used in household goods such as liquid drain cleaners to produce soap and as a key ingredient.