Question

Lye is used in soap-making. It is a concentrated solution of which ionic compound?
A.$NaCl$
B.$NaOH$
C.$CuS{O_4}$
D.${K_2}C{O_3}$

Answer 1

Hint: A lye is a metal hydroxide typically obtained by leaching wood ashes, or a powerful alkali that is highly soluble in caustic basic solutions formed by water. 'Lye' refers most generally to sodium hydroxide \[\left( {NaOH} \right)\] .

Complete answer:
Lye is used in the manufacture of soaps. It is a concentrated \[NaOH\] solution.
Lye is a metal hydroxide typically obtained by leaching wood ashes, or a powerful alkali that is highly soluble in caustic basic solutions formed by water. 'Lye' refers most generally to sodium hydroxide \[\left( {NaOH} \right)\] , but potassium hydroxide \[\left( {KOH} \right)\] has historically been used.
Lye is used in the making of soap in the form of both sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Potassium hydroxide soaps are smoother than sodium hydroxide soaps and are more readily dissolved in water. Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, either in the quantities necessary or in the properties created in soap making, are not interchangeable.
Soap making "hot operation" also uses lye as the main ingredient. Lye is added to the bath, cooled, and then added to the oils and butter for a few minutes. Over some time (1-2 hours), usually in a slow cooker, the mixture is then cooked and then put in a mold. As it does not take several weeks to complete, this technique is much faster than the cold process.

Hence, option B is the correct choice.

Note:
Today, lye is produced commercially using the chloralkali method of a membrane cell. It comes in several types, including flakes, pellets, microbeads, coarse powder, or a solution. Lye has historically been used in soap making as the main ingredient. In all Germanic languages, the English word "lye" has cognates and was originally designated a bath or hot tub.