What are the uses of Bases

What are the uses of Bases

What are the 4 uses of bases

Uses of Bases

1. Calcium Hydroxide (Slaked lime) [Ca(OH)2]

  • It is used to neutralize the acidity in soils.
  • It is an ingredient in whitewash and mortar.
  • It is a component of the Bordeaux mixture used for protecting agricultural crops from pests.
  • It is used in the preparation of dry mixes for painting and decorating.

2. Magnesium Hydroxide (Milk of magnesia) [Mg(OH)2]

  • It is used as an antacid or a laxative. It helps to correct excess acidity in the stomach.

3. Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic soda) (NaOH)

  • It is used in the manufacture of paper, textiles, and detergents.
  • In homes, it is occasionally used to unblock drains.
  • It is used in the manufacture of soaps and detergents.

Table lists some of the common bases and their uses.

BasesUses
Sodium hydroxide
  1. In the manuacture of   soaps, textile, paper, medicines
  2. In the refining of petroleum
Ammonium hydroxide
  1. As a reagent in the laboratory
  2. In making fertilizers, rayon, plastics and dyes
Calcium hydroxide
  1. In making cement and mortar
  2. In making bleaching powder
  3. In whitewashing
  4. In removing acidity of soils

 

BaseAmmoniaSodium hydroxideCalcium hydroxideMagnesium hydroxideAluminium oxide
UseTo make
  • nitric acid
  • fertilisers
  • nylon
  • cleaning agent

To prevent coagulation of latex

To make
  • soap
  • detergents
  • bleaching agents
To make
  • cement
  • bleaching powder

To neutralise acidity in soils

To make
  • toothpaste
  • antacids
To make antacids

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