Which of the following substances is an Arrhenius acid?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following substances is an Arrhenius acid?

Explanation:
Arrhenius acids are substances that increase the concentration of hydronium ions in water by donating a proton. Acetic acid, CH3COOH, does exactly that: it donates a proton to water to form CH3COO− and H3O+. This makes it an Arrhenius acid, even though it’s a weak one. LiOH, on the other hand, dissociates to give Li+ and OH−, raising hydroxide concentration rather than hydronium, so it behaves as an Arrhenius base. The phosphate ion (PO4^3−) and carbonate ion (CO3^2−) act as bases in water as well, accepting protons or generating OH− through hydrolysis, rather than donating H+. Therefore, the substance that fits the Arrhenius acid definition is acetic acid.

Arrhenius acids are substances that increase the concentration of hydronium ions in water by donating a proton. Acetic acid, CH3COOH, does exactly that: it donates a proton to water to form CH3COO− and H3O+. This makes it an Arrhenius acid, even though it’s a weak one.

LiOH, on the other hand, dissociates to give Li+ and OH−, raising hydroxide concentration rather than hydronium, so it behaves as an Arrhenius base. The phosphate ion (PO4^3−) and carbonate ion (CO3^2−) act as bases in water as well, accepting protons or generating OH− through hydrolysis, rather than donating H+. Therefore, the substance that fits the Arrhenius acid definition is acetic acid.

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