What are common salts and their uses?

Sodium chloride is table salt, potassium dichromate is an oxidizing agent, sodium chromate is a dyeing agent, mercury sulfide is a red pigment and copper sulfate is an antidote for phosphorus poisoning. Salts are a type of ionic compound with a neutral charge.

The most popular type of salt is sodium chloride. People use it to season their food. It stems from an acid-base reaction of sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. In addition to food, scientists may use this salt in laboratories. It is a classic example of ionic bonding with the chlorine and sodium ions binding together to create it.