Sodium Hydroxide

Key Stage 3

Meaning

Sodium Hydroxide is a solid (at room temperature) chemical compound with the formula NaOH.

About Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium Hydroxide is a base.

When Sodium Hydroxide is dissolved in water it is an alkali.

Sodium Hydroxide reacts with acids to produce a Sodium salt:

Hydrochloric Acid + Sodium Hydroxide → Sodium Chloride + Water

Sulphuric Acid + Sodium Hydroxide → Sodium Sulphate + Water

Nitric Acid + Sodium Hydroxide → Sodium Nitrate + Water

Key Stage 4

Meaning

Sodium Hydroxide is a solid (STP) chemical compound with the formula NaOH.

About Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium Hydroxide is a base.

Aqueous Sodium Hydroxide is an alkali.

Sodium Hydroxide is held together by ionic bonds.

Sodium Hydroxide has a giant ionic structure.

Sodium Hydroxide reacts with acids to produce a Sodium salt:

Hydrochloric Acid + Sodium Hydroxide → Sodium Chloride + Water

HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H₂O

Sulphuric Acid + Sodium Hydroxide → Sodium Sulphate + Water

H₂SO₄ + 2NaOH → Na₂SO₄ + 2H₂O

Nitric Acid + Sodium Hydroxide → Sodium Nitrate + Water

HNO₃ + NaOH → NaNO₃ + H₂O

References

AQA

Sodium hydroxide, pages 109, 186-187, GCSE Chemistry; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA