What happens when a base reacts with a metal?

Answer:

The base has a bitter taste and a slippery texture. A base dissolved in water is called an alkali. When chemically reacting with acids, such compounds produce salts. Bases are known to turn blue on red litmus paper.

When a base reacts with a metal, hydrogen gas is produced. It burns with a pop sound when a burning candle is brought near the test tube’s mouth.

Metal + Base → Hydrogen + Salt

Reaction of base with metals examples

• Sodium hydroxide, as it reacts with zinc metal, gives hydrogen gas & sodium zincate.

2 NaOH + Zn → H₂ + Na₂ZnO₂

• Sodium aluminate and hydrogen gas are formed when sodium hydroxide reacts with aluminium metal.

2NaOH + 2Al + 2H₂O → 2NaAlO₂ + 2H₂

• Sodium hydroxide gives hydrogen gas and sodium zincate when it reacts with zinc metal.

2NaOH + Zn → Na₂ZnO₂+ H₂