Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. All the bases are alkali. 2. All alkalis dissolve in water. 3. Alkalis are soapy to touch, bitter in taste and corrosive in nature. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The distinction between bases and alkalis is fundamental in chemistry. Statement 1 is incorrect because while all alkalis are bases, not all bases are alkalis [1]. A base is only classified as an alkali if it is soluble in water [2]. Statement 2 is correct as the very definition of an alkali is a base that dissolves in water [1]. Statement 3 is also correct; alkalis are characterized by a bitter taste, a soapy or slippery feel to the touch, and a corrosive nature, particularly in concentrated forms like sodium hydroxide [1]. Because they are corrosive, they can cause harm and should not be tasted or touched directly [1]. Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are accurate descriptions of alkalis, making option 3 the correct choice.

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Acids, Bases and Salts > QUESTIONS > p. 24
2. [2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/alkali