bases

• what are bases?

  substances which can neutralise an acid, forming a salt + water
• what is a water-soluble base referred to?

  alkali
• what is the rule with bases + alkalis?

  all alkalis are bases, but not all bases are alkalis
• what colour does red litmus paper turn in basic (alkaline) conditions?

  blue
• what are bases usually?

  oxides, hydroxides or carbonates of metals
• what makes an alkaline an aqueous solution?

  the presence of the OH- ions