(i) Dry pellets of a base ‘X’ when kept in open absorbs moisture and turns sticky. The compound is also formed by chloralkali process. Write chemical name and formula of X. Describe chlor-alkali process with balanced chemical equation. Name the type of reaction occurs when X is treated with dilute hydrochloric acid. Write the chemical equation.
(ii) While diluting an acid, why is it recommended that the acid should be added to water and not water to the acid?
(i) X is sodium hydroxide, NaOH. When sodium chloride solution (brine solution) is electrolysed, sodium hydroxide solution is formed. H2 and Cl2 gases are liberated. This is chlor-alkali process.
2NaCl + 2H2O + electrolysis → 2NaOH + H2 + Cl2
NaOH ('X') + HCl → NaCl + H2O
The above reaction is neutralization reaction.
(ii) It is because process is highly exothermic. If water is added to acid, bottle of acid will break.