Alkali
Alkali
Alkali (/ælˈkɑːli/; plural: alkalis) is a term used in Chemistry to refer to the basic, ionic salts of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal element. Alkalis are best known for being bases (compounds that can neutralize acids) that dissolve in water.
Etymology
The term "alkali" is derived from the Arabic word "al qali" meaning "the calcined" or "the roasted". This refers to the original method of obtaining alkalis by roasting plant ashes.
Related Terms
- Base (chemistry): A substance that can accept protons or donate a pair of valence electrons.
- Alkali Metal: Any of the elements found in Group 1 of the periodic table.
- Alkaline Earth Metal: Any element in Group 2 of the periodic table.
- pH: A measure of the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution.
- Acid: A molecule or ion capable of donating a proton (hydrogen ion H+), or, alternatively, capable of forming a covalent bond with an electron pair.
Alkali in Medicine
In medicine, alkalis are often used in antacids to neutralize stomach acid and relieve indigestion and heartburn. They can also be used in the treatment of acidosis, a condition where the body's fluids contain too much acid.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Alkali
- Wikipedia's article - Alkali
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