Oxides
Humans and other animals exhale me with every breath, and plants require me for photosynthesis. I am used to create the fizz in soft drinks and am also the main gas responsible for the greenhouse effect.
what is Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)?
Commonly known as lye or caustic soda, I am a highly corrosive substance used in manufacturing soaps, paper, and textiles. I am often used in household products as a powerful drain cleaner because of my ability to dissolve grease, oils, and fats. I readily absorb moisture and carbon dioxide from the air.
What is Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)?
I am the main component of vinegar, giving it its characteristic sour taste and pungent smell. I am produced by the fermentation of ethanol by bacteria. Besides its use in cooking for pickling and salad dressings, I am also used as a cleaning agent.
What is Acetic Acid (CH₃COOH)?
I am the principal component of most sand and quartz. In my pure form, I am a hard, colorless crystalline solid. I am extensively used in the manufacturing of glass, ceramics, and as a major component of concrete.
What is Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂)?
Also known as slaked lime, I am produced by mixing quicklime with water. I am used in construction for mortar and plaster, and in agriculture to raise the pH of acidic soils. In food preparation, I am used in a process called nixtamalization to soften corn for making tortillas.
What is Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂)?
I am found naturally in citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges, giving them their tart, sour taste. Because of my tangy flavor, I am widely used as a flavoring agent and preservative in foods and soft drinks. I also play a key role in the metabolic process by which all aerobic organisms generate energy.
What is Citric Acid (C₆H₈O₇)?
Known historically as quicklime, I am a white, caustic, alkaline crystalline solid. I am produced by heating limestone in a kiln and am a crucial ingredient in the production of cement and mortar. I react vigorously with water, releasing a large amount of heat.
What is Calcium Oxide (CaO)?
I am a gas with a characteristic sharp, pungent odor, often associated with smelling salts and household cleaners. I am crucial for making fertilizers that support global food production. In a diluted form, I am found in many glass and all-purpose cleaning solutions.
What is Ammonia (NH₃)?
I am formed in small amounts when carbon dioxide dissolves in water, and I am the reason that normal, unpolluted rain is slightly acidic. I am responsible for the carbonation in sodas, beer, and sparkling wine. My instability is why an open soda quickly goes flat.
What is Carbonic Acid (H₂CO₃)?
I cover over 70% of the Earth's surface and am essential for all known forms of life. I am unique in that my solid form, ice, is less dense than my liquid form. I am considered the universal solvent because I can dissolve more substances than any other liquid.
What is Water (H₂O)?
Popularly known as baking soda, I am a common household substance used as a leavening agent in baking. When I react with an acid, I release carbon dioxide gas, which causes dough to rise. I can also be used as a mild abrasive for cleaning, a deodorizer, and as an antacid to relieve heartburn.
What is Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)?
I am the main component of stomach acid, which helps digest proteins. Commercially, I am known as muriatic acid and am used for cleaning concrete and steel. I am a strong, corrosive acid that must be handled with care.
What is Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)?