Homonym: salts (Seasoning)
Salts are chemical compounds formed when acids react with bases. They consist of positive ions, called cations, and negative ions, called anions. Common table salt, or sodium chloride, is a well-known example, made from the reaction of sodium and chlorine. Salts are essential in our daily lives, not just for seasoning food but also for various industrial processes.
In addition to flavoring, salts play crucial roles in biological systems. For instance, potassium and calcium salts are vital for nerve function and muscle contraction. Many salts dissolve in water, creating solutions that can conduct electricity, which is important for many chemical reactions and processes in nature.