(a) What is an alkali? Give an example.
(b) Why do $$HCl, H{NO}_{3}$$ etc show acidic characters in aqueous solutions while solutions of compounds like alcohol and glucose do not show acidic character?
(a) The bases which are soluble in water are called alkali. Sodium hydroxide is a base that is soluble in water and hence it is an alkali.
(b) A compound is said to be acidic in character if it is able to generate $${H}^{+}$$ ions in aqueous solutions. $$HCl, H{NO}_{3}$$, etc. show acidic characters in aqueous solutions because they are able to generate $${H}^{+}$$ ions in aqueous solutions while solution of compounds like alcohol and glucose doe not show acidic character because they are not able to generate $${H}^{+}$$ ions in aqueous solutions.