Difference Between Alkali and Base
The terms "base" and "alkali" are often used interchangeably, particularly outside of a scientific context.
There are various definitions for alkali. Alkali is often defined as a subset of base. However, two subsets are commonly chosen.
- A basic salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal (This includes Mg(OH)2 but excludes NH3.)
- Any base that is water-soluble and forms hydroxide ions or the solution of a base in water. (This excludes Mg(OH)2 but includes NH3.)
The second subset of base is also called an Arrhenius base.
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