Final answer:
The chemical used in soap and papermaking is sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which is essential in the production of soaps and the manufacturing processes in the paper industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical used in soap and papermaking is sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as lye or caustic soda. Sodium hydroxide is a strong base commonly used in various industries, prominently in the production of paper and the manufacturing of soaps.
In the soaps and detergents industry, when animal fats are treated with sodium hydroxide, glycerol and the sodium salts of fatty acids are produced, which are the main components of soap. Similarly, in the paper industry, sodium hydroxide is utilized for processes such as pulping and bleaching.
Sodium hydroxide is a compound composed of sodium (Na), oxygen (O), and hydrogen (H) in a 1:1:1 ratio respectively.