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Overview
Calcium hydroxide (KAL-see-um hye-DROK-side) is a soft, white odorless solid that occurs as granules or a powder. It has a slightly bitter, alkaline taste. Calcium hydroxide absorbs carbon dioxide readily from the air, changing to calcium carbonate (CaCO3). For this reason, the compound often is contaminated with the carbonate unless it is kept in tightly sealed containers. Calcium hydroxide is a relatively inexpensive chemical and, for that reason, is used in production processes where a base is needed. Although calcium hydroxide is not very soluble in water, a suspension of the finely divided powder in water can be made, a suspension known as limewater or milk of lime.
Key Facts
Other Names:
Calcium hydrate; caustic lime; hydated lime; slaked lime
Formula:
Ca(OH)2
Elements:
Calcium, oxygen, hydrogen
Compound Type:
Inorganic base
State:
Solid
Molecular Weight:
74.09 g/mol
Melting Point:
Not applicable; loses water when heated...
This section contains 706 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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