What is alkaline?
In chemistry, solutions are classified according to their pH value. Depending on which value is reached, an alkaline liquid is present. What do you mean with that?
Liquids can be acidic or alkaline. The latter is also known as basic and means a pH value between 7 and 14. The point here is how many positive or negative charges are present in a solution and which of these amounts of charge predominates. This can also be recorded with special tests.
What does "alkaline" mean?
- Liquids can be described with the pH value. This abbreviation stands for "potentia Hydrogenii" and comes from the fact that the proportion of hydrogen ions is represented in liquids, because this element is symbolized with an "H".
- The decisive factor is the ratio of hydroxide ions (OH-), which are negatively charged, and protons (H +), which are positively charged.
- The charges in the liquid are then recorded using various test methods and assigned a pH value between below zero and 14.
- Liquids can be acidic or alkaline or be basic. The latter means a pH value between 7 and 14. If the negative charges predominate, the solution is alkaline.
Properties of acids simply explained
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What is an alkaline solution useful for?
- Alkaline solutions are used for various purposes, for example to make lye pastries - the term "lye" also stands for alkaline liquids.
- Soap dissolved in water is also alkaline, whereby too frequent use also shows a disadvantage of bases, because they (like strong acids) can damage the skin.
- Human skin, on the other hand, is not basic, but slightly acidic with a pH value of around 5. Too much soap can therefore impair the protective function of the skin.
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