Question

Does Aluminium dissolve completely in sodium hydroxide solution? Means that there is no aluminium plate left in the solution if aluminium plate in put in sodium hydroxide solution
Where does the aluminium plate go?

Answer 1

Answer on Question# 69741 – Chemistry – Inorganic chemistry

Question: Does Aluminium dissolve completely in sodium hydroxide solution? Means that there is no aluminium plate left in the solution if aluminium plate in put in sodium hydroxide solution. Where does the aluminium plate go?

Answer:

It is correct to say that aluminium dissolves in sodium hydroxide solution. But better to say that aluminum reacts with sodium hydroxide solution:

$$2 \mathrm{Al}(\mathrm{s}) + 2 \mathrm{NaOH}(\mathrm{aq}) + 6 \mathrm{H_2O}(\mathrm{l}) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{NaAl(OH)_4} + 3 \mathrm{H_2(g)}$$

The sodium tetrahydroxovaluminate Na[Al(OH)₄] is formed as a result of the reaction and it is dissoluble in water.

Also an aluminium plate contains aluminum oxide $\mathrm{Al_2O_3}$. It reacts with sodium hydroxide solution as well:

$$\mathrm{Al_2O_3(s)} + 2 \mathrm{NaOH(aq)} + 3 \mathrm{H_2O(l)} \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{NaAl(OH)_4}$$

If you have enough sodium hydroxide solution, you will be able to dissolve even aluminum plate.

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