Question

Is lime water an acidic or basic solution?

Answer 1

Lime water$\left(\mathrm{Ca}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2\right)$:

• It is formed when quicklime$\left(\mathrm{CaO}\right)$ comes in contact with water.

$\underset{\underset{\stackrel{\mathrm{or}}{\mathrm{Quicklime}}}{\mathrm{Calcium}\mathrm{Oxide}}}{\mathrm{Cao}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{water}}{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to \underset{\mathrm{Calcium}\mathrm{hydroxide}}{\mathrm{Ca}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}$

• Lime water is a hydroxide of Calcium and generally metallic hydroxides are basic in nature.
• Also, the pH of lime water is around 12.4, which makes it a strong base.

So, Lime water is a basic solution.