How do you make a #600*mL# volume of #20%*("w/w")# caustic soda in water?

1 Answer
Apr 7, 2017

Measure a mass of #60*g# caustic soda........

Explanation:

Measure a mass of #60*g# caustic soda........and be quick because the stuff deliquesces in air (note that at a minimum you should be wearing safety spectacles to protect your mince pies, and avoid skin contact with the pellets). And pour in a measured volume of water, approx. #50-60*mL#. The solution, #"the lye"#, will get hot as the sodium hydroxide dissolves; the heat of solution (and it will get very hot) should get all the solute into solution. Once the pellets have dissolved, make up the volume to #600*mL#.

#"Concentration"="Mass of NaOH"/"Volume of solution"=(60*g)/(300*g)xx100%=#

#=1/5xx100%=20%#.