Question 32

Q46Short answer

A dry pellet of a common base B, when kept in open absorbs moisture and turns sticky. The compound is also a by–product of chloralkali process. Identify B. What type of reaction occurs when B is treated with an acidic oxide? Write a balanced chemical equation for one such solution.

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Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a commonly used base and is hygroscopic, that is, it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere and becomes sticky. The acidic oxides react with base to give salt and water. The reaction between NaOH and CO2 can be given as 2 NaOH + CO2 → Na2CO3 + H2O