Bases and Alkalis

An alkali is a base which dissolves in water.

Both bases and alkalis are proton acceptors. Therefore, some bases can also be called alkalis.

For example, sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate are bases which dissolves in water. They are alkalis.

Other bases, such as calcium carbonate, copper oxide, and zinc oxide do not dissolve in water. They must be dissolved in an acid to react with water molecules.