What Is an Alkaline Solution?

An alkaline solution is a mixture of a base solid dissolved in water. It can be created in laboratories by vigorous stirring or through naturally occurring processes, such as erosion.

History

Around the turn of the 20th century, Svante Arrhenius devised an acid-base theory that identified alkaline materials and their resulting solutions as bases. His work was later refined by Johannes Nicolaus Brønsted and Martin Lowry in 1923.

Identification

Alkaline solutions have a pH of 10 or greater and will turn red litmus paper bright blue.They typically feel slippery or soapy to the touch due to a reaction that occurs between the acids found on the skin and the solution.

Function

Alkaline solutions are used in products such as hand soap, detergents, medications, drain cleaners and biodiesel fuel. They are also used during industrial processes, such as oil drilling, paper production, iron smelting and food preparation. Calcium carbonate is often found combined with other elements to form stone, such as marble, limestone, travertine and chalk.

Types

Sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lye, calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide are all types of alkaline solutions.

Warnings

Some strong alkaline solutions can be harmful if ingested or if they come in contact with the skin.

Misconceptions

At times, the words "alkaline" and "base" are used interchangeably, but this is incorrect. While all alkaline solutions are basic in nature, not every base is alkaline.

Resources

• American Chemical Society