What Is an Alkaline Solution?

Testtube on top of periodic table
••• Scott Rothstein/iStock/Getty Images

If you look at the left side of the periodic table, you'll see all of the so-called alkali metals in the first column, including lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium. All of the hydroxide salts of these metals are soluble, or dissolve, in water and form alkaline solutions. Other solutions are described as alkaline too, however.

Two Meanings

All of the hydroxide salts of these metals are soluble, or dissolve, in water and form alkaline solutions. (If you wanted to do this, though, you would have to do it fast-- hydroxide salts will readily absorb water from the air and dissolve themselves!) Sometimes, chemists use the phrase "alkaline solution" more broadly to refer to any base solution. Bases measure higher than a neutral 7 on the pH scale, and cause the solution to be high in OH- ions. Examples of bases are the kitchen cleaners ammonia and sodium hypochlorite, or bleach.

Related Articles

Alkaline Vs. Basic
What Turns pH Paper Green?
How to Calculate the Normality of HCL
How to Use Baking Soda to Make Alkaline Water
Definition of Acidic Solution
What Is pH of Sodium Carbonate in Water?
What Happens When an Acid & a Base Are Combined?
What Determines the Strength of an Acid?
The Properties of Acidic Substances
How to Dissolve EDTA in Water
What Does Neutralization Mean?
Characteristics of Acids, Bases & Salts
How to Find Out If an Element Is an Ion
Properties of Isopropyl Alcohol
What Does Solute Mean?
How to Make Sodium Nitrate
How to Dissolve Calcium Oxalate
What Type of Clouds Are Rain Clouds?
What Happens When a Base Is Added to a Buffer Solution?
What Color Would a Tester PH Paper Turn if Is Dipped...

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!