Pick out the correct statement.

ANS:C - Sodium hydroxide is both a base and an alkali.

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is both a base and an alkali due to its chemical properties and behavior in aqueous solutions. As a base:

• Sodium hydroxide is a strong base because it readily donates hydroxide ions (OH-) in solution.
• It reacts with acids to form salts and water through a neutralization reaction. In this reaction, sodium hydroxide accepts a proton (H+) from the acid, forming water (H2O) and a salt.

• An alkali is a soluble base that produces hydroxide ions (OH-) when dissolved in water.
• Sodium hydroxide readily dissociates in water to produce hydroxide ions, making it an alkali.
• Alkalis have a bitter taste, feel slippery or soapy to the touch, and turn red litmus paper blue. Sodium hydroxide exhibits these characteristics when dissolved in water.