Question

Give any two uses of common salt (sodium chloride).

Answer 1

1. Common salt (sodium chloride) is used as a raw material for making a large number of useful chemicals in industry, such as sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), sodium carbonate (washing soda), sodium hydrogencarbonate (baking soda), hydrochloric acid, hydrogen, chlorine, and sodium metal.
2. Common salt (sodium chloride) is used in cooking food. It improves the flavour of food. Sodium chloride is required by our body for the functioning of the nervous system, the movement of muscles, and the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach for the digestion of food.
3. Common salt (sodium chloride) is used as a preservative in pickles and in curing meat and fish (preserving meat and fish).
4. Common salt (sodium chloride) is used in the manufacture of soap.
5. Common salt (sodium chloride) is used to melt ice which collects on the roads during winter in cold countries.