GCSE CHEMISTRY - What are the Uses of the Compounds of the Alkali Metals? - What are the Uses of Potassium Iodide, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate and Sodium Hydroxide?

What are the Uses of Compounds of the Alkali Metals?

See below for the uses of the alkali metal compounds
potassium iodide, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate,
sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium hydroxide.

What are the Uses of Potassium Iodide?

Potassium iodide (KI) is added to sodium chloride
(common salt - see below) to prevent a lack of iodine in the diet.

What are the Uses of Sodium Chloride?

Sodium chloride (NaCl) is common salt.

1. Salt is used in the food industry as a flavouring and as
a preservative. See also rock salt and sea salt.

2. Salt is also mixed with grit and spread on roads
to prevent roads freezing in cold conditions.

3. Sodium chloride solution is used in a water softener
to regenerate the ion exchange column.

4. Electrolysis of sodium chloride solution is used to
make chlorine gas, hydrogen gas and sodium hydroxide.

What are the Uses of Sodium Carbonate?

Sodium carbonate, Na₂CO₃ (called soda, or washing soda)
is used in the manufacture of glass and
to make water soft, replacing calcium ions with sodium ions.

What are the Uses of Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate?

Sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO₃) is called 'bicarb'
and is used in cooking as a raising agent for cakes.
Baking powder is a mixture of sodium hydrogen carbonate
and tartaric acid. The mixture helps to keep the pH neutral.

What are the Uses of Sodium Hydroxide?

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is also called caustic soda.
For the uses of sodium hydroxide please click here.

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