What happens when elements like zinc, aluminium or silicon dissolving in solution of NaOH.
I understand acids, but not bases, please help.aga - 17-1-2016 at 15:08
What do you understand about acids ?
[Edited on 17-1-2016 by aga]blogfast25 - 17-1-2016 at 15:24
What happens when elements like zinc, aluminium or silicon dissolving in solution of NaOH.
I understand acids, but not bases, please help.
The metals then transform to anions, instead of cations.
Typically Zn(OH)2<sup>2-</sup> (zincate) and Al(OH)4<sup>-</sup> (aluminate). Silicates can be more
complex.DraconicAcid - 17-1-2016 at 20:49
The base does not act as a solvent. Water is the solvent; the base (along with water) reacts with the metal to give complex ions and hydrogen gas
(note to blogfast- there is a typo in your formula, there are four hydroxides in zincate).