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| a reaction in which two or more substances combine to form another compound |
| a solution containing the maximum amount of solute capable of being dissolved under given conditions |
| sodium silicate | |
| —n | |
| 1. | See water glass Also called: soluble glass a substance having the general formula, Na2O.xSiO2, where x varies between 3 and 5, existing as an amorphous powder or present in a usually viscous aqueous solution |
| 2. | any sodium salt of orthosilicic acid or metasilicic acid |
sodium silicate
crystal-likecrystal-like lumps that range from colourless to white or grayish white and resemble glass but can be dissolved in water to form a syrupy liquid. Some forms are slightly soluble, and some are almost insoluble; they are best dissolved by heating with water under pressure. A little water dissolves water glass more readily than much water does. The solutions are strongly alkaline. The chemical formulas Na2SiO3, Na6Si2O7, and Na2Si3O7 describe the composition of various forms of water glass.
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