Emäksellinen

Emäksellinen refers to a substance that is alkaline or basic. In chemistry, alkalinity is the capacity of a substance to neutralize acids. This property is often quantified by measuring the pH of a solution. Solutions with a pH greater than 7 are considered alkaline, while those with a pH less than 7 are acidic, and a pH of 7 is neutral.

Alkaline substances typically contain hydroxide ions (OH-) or can produce them in water. Common examples include sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and ammonia (NH3). These substances react with acids in a neutralization reaction, forming salt and water. For instance, when an acid like hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with a base like sodium hydroxide, the products are sodium chloride (NaCl), a salt, and water (H2O).

The concept of alkalinity is important in various fields. In environmental science, it's used to describe the buffering capacity of natural waters, which helps resist changes in pH. In biology, many biological fluids, such as blood, are maintained within a narrow alkaline pH range to ensure proper physiological function. In industry, alkaline solutions are used in cleaning products, manufacturing processes, and water treatment. The term "emäksellinen" is the Finnish word for alkaline or basic.