I need to duplicate the strength of lye made from wood ash dissolved in water (Potassium Hydroxide) to that of lye made from Sodium Hydroxide disolved in water. The soap recipes I use require lye of various strengths as determined by fluid volume of water combined with the prescribed humber of grams of sodium hydroxide. e.g. 6 fluid oz of water combined with 58 g of sodium hydroxide. This makes lye of a specific strength. I want to be able to duplicate the strength of the sodium hydroxide lye water when useing potassium hydroxide made from dissolving wood ash in water. I can make the potassium hydroxide lye water stronger by reducing its volume with heat or weaker by increasing its volume by adding more water. I assume the easiest way to make potassium hydroxide lye water of the same strength as the sodium hydroxide lye water is to make them have the same PH. To do this I need to know the PH of a solution made from 6 fluid oz of water combined with 58 gr of sodium hydroxide

Question

I need to duplicate the strength of lye made from wood ash dissolved in water (Potassium Hydroxide) to that of lye made from Sodium Hydroxide disolved in water. The soap recipes I use require lye of various strengths as determined by fluid volume of water combined with the prescribed humber of grams of sodium hydroxide. e.g. 6 fluid oz of water combined with 58 g of sodium hydroxide. This makes lye of a specific strength. I want to be able to duplicate the strength of the sodium hydroxide lye water when useing potassium hydroxide made from dissolving wood ash in water. I can make the potassium hydroxide lye water stronger by reducing its volume with heat or weaker by increasing its volume by adding more water. I assume the easiest way to make potassium hydroxide lye water of the same strength as the sodium hydroxide lye water is to make them have the same PH. To do this I need to know the PH of a solution made from 6 fluid oz of water combined with 58 gr of sodium hydroxide

Answer 1

To determine the pH of a solution made from 6 fluid oz of water combined with 58 g of sodium hydroxide, you would need to perform a pH test using a pH meter or pH indicator strips.

However, instead of relying solely on pH to determine the strength of the lye made from potassium hydroxide, it would be more accurate to calculate the molarity or concentration of the solution. This can be achieved by using the molecular weight and stoichiometry of the chemicals involved.

To calculate the molarity of the sodium hydroxide solution, you can follow these steps:

1. Calculate the number of moles of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) using its molecular weight. The molecular weight of NaOH is approximately 40 g/mol.
Number of moles = mass of NaOH / molecular weight of NaOH
Number of moles = 58 g / 40 g/mol
Number of moles = 1.45 mol

2. Convert the fluid ounces of water to liters. Assuming 1 fluid oz is equal to 29.6 mL.
Volume of water = 6 fluid oz * 29.6 mL/fluid oz * (1 L / 1000 mL)
Volume of water = 0.178 L

3. Calculate the molarity (M) of the sodium hydroxide solution using the formula:
Molarity = number of moles / volume of solution in liters
Molarity = 1.45 mol / 0.178 L
Molarity ≈ 8.15 M

Now that you have the molarity of the sodium hydroxide solution, you can aim to create a potassium hydroxide solution with a similar molarity by adjusting the concentration or volume of the solution. Keep in mind that the molar mass of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is approximately 56 g/mol.

You can repeat the above steps by replacing the values with potassium hydroxide to calculate the molarity of the solution made from dissolving wood ash in water. Adjust the volume with heat or by adding more water to achieve the desired molarity, which will duplicate the strength of the sodium hydroxide solution for your soap recipes.

Answer 2

To determine the pH of a solution made from 6 fluid ounces of water combined with 58 grams of sodium hydroxide, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Calculate the molarity (M) of the sodium hydroxide solution:
- Sodium hydroxide has a molar mass of approximately 40 g/mol.
- Convert the mass of sodium hydroxide from grams to moles by dividing by the molar mass (58 g / 40 g/mol).
- Divide the moles of sodium hydroxide by the volume of water in liters to obtain the molarity. Since there are approximately 29.57 mL in 1 fluid ounce, 6 fluid ounces is equivalent to 177 mL or 0.177 L.

2. Determine the pOH of the solution:
- The pOH can be calculated using the formula: pOH = -log10(OH- concentration), where [OH-] represents the concentration of hydroxide ions in moles per liter.
- Sodium hydroxide completely dissociates in water, so the concentration of hydroxide ions will be equal to the molarity of the solution.

3. Calculate the pH of the solution:
- The pH can be determined using the formula: pH = 14 - pOH.

By following these steps, you can calculate the pH of the sodium hydroxide solution. To replicate the strength using potassium hydroxide made from dissolving wood ash in water, you would need to adjust the concentration of the potassium hydroxide solution until it has the same pH as the sodium hydroxide solution. Keep in mind that the pH is not the only factor that determines the strength of the lye solution, so it is important to also consider other variables such as the composition and concentration of the solution.