Alkali: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŒŠ
Add to dictionary

alkali

 

[ หˆรฆl.kษ™.laษช ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

chemistry, base

Alkali refers to a subset of bases that are soluble in water and have a pH greater than 7. Common examples include sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Alkalis produce hydroxide ions (OH-) when dissolved in water, which is responsible for their basic properties. They are fundamental in various chemical processes and have applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals, cleaning products, and agriculture.

Synonyms

base, lye, soda

Examples of usage

  • Sodium hydroxide is a strong alkali used in soap making.
  • The alkali content in the soil can affect plant growth.
  • Be cautious when handling alkalis as they can cause chemical burns.

Translations

Translations of the word "alkali" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น รกlcali

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เฅเคทเคพเคฐเฅ€เคฏ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Alkali

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ alkali

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปัƒะถะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ alkalia

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ขใƒซใ‚ซใƒช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท alcali

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ รกlcali

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท alkali

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์•Œ์นผ๋ฆฌ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู‚ู„ูˆูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ alkรกlie

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ alkalita

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ขฑ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ alkalij

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ alkalรญ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะปะบะฐะปะธ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒšแƒ™แƒแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ alkali

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ รกlcali

Etymology

The term 'alkali' originates from the Arabic word 'al-qaly', meaning 'the ashes of the saltwort plant'. This historical connection highlights the early use of ash in producing alkalis. The word made its way into Latin as 'alkali', and later into Middle English, where it began to take on its modern chemical meanings. The scientific understanding of alkalis flourished in the context of alchemy and later the emergence of chemistry as a science. Throughout history, alkalis have been significant for various applications ranging from early pottery and soap-making to modern industrial processes, showcasing their enduring importance in both science and daily life.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,048 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.