What is the difference between Sodium Hydroxide and Potassium Hydroxide?
Answer
Verified576.9k+ views
Hint: Sodium and potassium are two different elements in the periodic table. They both form hydroxides which are alkaline in nature. From this itself we can find out an elementary difference between the both. \[NaOH\] is the chemical formula for Sodium hydroxide and \[KOH\] is the chemical formula for Potassium hydroxide.
Complete answer:
Note:
While choosing either of these we have got the best in both of them. You will be having a lowering in price if we use Potassium Hydroxide alone. But you will get a faster penetration and better rinsing product than if you use Sodium Hydroxide.
There are also a lot of similarities in both of them.
Both can be used in the soap manufacturing industry as a base. \[NaOH\] will give you solid opaque bar soaps whereas \[KOH\] will give translucent clear liquid soaps.
Complete answer:
| Sodium Hydroxide | Potassium Hydroxide | |
| Chemical formula | \[NaOH\] is the chemical formula | \[KOH\] is the chemical formula |
| Commonly known as | Commonly known as lye or caustic soda | Commonly known as Potash |
| Atomic weight | Atomic weight is \[39.997\;{\text{ }}g/mol\] | Atomic weight is \[56.1056\;{\text{ }}g/mol\] |
| Number of protons in the metal | \[Na\] has 11 protons | \[K\] has 19 protons |
| Reaction with water | Reaction with water is highly exothermic | Reaction with water is slightly less exothermic |
| Stains | \[NaOH\] leaves a yellow stain | \[KOH\] solutions leave a translucent stain that is colourless |
| Solubility | Less soluble in water, methanol and ethanol | More soluble in water, methanol and ethanol |
| Uses | It is used in drain cleansers and in paper manufacturing industry in high quantities | It is used in the manufacture of certain fertilisers and soap. |
| Conductivity | Less conductive | More conductive. |
Note:
While choosing either of these we have got the best in both of them. You will be having a lowering in price if we use Potassium Hydroxide alone. But you will get a faster penetration and better rinsing product than if you use Sodium Hydroxide.
There are also a lot of similarities in both of them.
Both can be used in the soap manufacturing industry as a base. \[NaOH\] will give you solid opaque bar soaps whereas \[KOH\] will give translucent clear liquid soaps.
Recently Updated Pages
Write structures of the following compounds i 2 Chloro3methylpentane class 11 chemistry CBSE
What is BLO What is the full form of BLO class 8 social science CBSE
Explain the Treaty of Vienna of 1815 class 10 social science CBSE
A Paragraph on Pollution in about 100-150 Words
XIX+XXX A 49 B 51 C 55 D 44 class 5 maths CBSE
If x a + bt + ct2 where x is in meters and t is in class 11 physics CBSE
Trending doubts
One Metric ton is equal to kg A 10000 B 1000 C 100 class 11 physics CBSE
Draw a diagram of nephron and explain its structur class 11 biology CBSE
10 examples of friction in our daily life
Proton was discovered by A Thomson B Rutherford C Chadwick class 11 chemistry CBSE
Bond order ofO2 O2+ O2 and O22 is in order A O2 langle class 11 chemistry CBSE
Draw a labelled diagram of the neuron and describe class 11 biology CBSE