46. A dry pellet of a common base B, when kept in open absorbs moisture and turns sticky. The compound is also a by-product of chloralkali process. Identify B. What type of reaction occurs when B is treated with an acidic oxide? Write a balanced chemical equation for one such reaction.
Steps: NaOH is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture). It reacts with acidic oxide CO₂ to form sodium carbonate and water (a neutralisation/acid–base reaction).