Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
with sodium hydroxide. Such reactions are called neutralizations, the chem-
ical term for the reaction of an acid with a base to form a salt and water.
H
3
PO
4
+
3NaOH
Na
3
PO
4
+
3H
2
O
Some metals that are chemically combined with oxygen (metal oxides)
also dissolve in sodium hydroxide. For example, aluminum ore (known as
bauxite) is treated with sodium hydroxide to isolate pure aluminum oxide,
from which pure aluminum is obtained. Sand (silicon dioxide) will also
dissolve in sodium hydroxide to form a chemical known as
sodium silicate
or
water glass
.
