Barrons SAT Subject Test Chemistry, 13th Edition

Completely or Nearly Completely Ionized Slightly Ionized

Potassium hydroxide KOH

Ammonium hydroxide NH 4 (OH)

Sodium hydroxide NaOH

(All others)

Barium hydroxide Ba(OH) 2

Strontium hydroxide Sr(OH) 2

Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH) 2

2. Bases cause a color change in indicators. Litmus changes from red to
   blue in a basic solution, and phenolphthalein turns pink from its colorless
   state.


3. Bases react with acids to neutralize each other and form a salt and
   water.


4. Bases react with fats to form a class of compounds called soaps.
   Earlier generations used this method to make their own soap.


5. Aqueous solutions of bases feel slippery, and the stronger bases are
   very caustic to the skin.

The Arrhenius Theory defines a base as a substance that yields hydroxide

ions (OH−) in an aqueous solution.
Some common bases have familiar names, for example:

Sodium

hydroxide

= lye, caustic soda

Potassium

hydroxide

= caustic potash

Calcium

hydroxide

= slaked lime, hydrated

lime, limewater

Ammonium

hydroxide

= ammonia water,

household ammonia

Much of the sodium hydroxide produced today comes from the Hooker cell
electrolysis apparatus. The electrolysis process for the decomposition of water