Which of the following substances is an Arrhenius base?

Prepare for the Acids, Bases, and Salts Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following substances is an Arrhenius base?

Explanation:
Arrhenius bases create hydroxide ions (OH−) when dissolved in water. Sodium hydroxide does exactly that: it dissociates completely into Na+ and OH−, so the solution has a high concentration of OH−, fitting the Arrhenius definition of a base. The other substances are acids: sulfuric acid and nitric acid donate protons (H+) to water, producing hydronium, while acetic acid is a weak acid. They do not increase OH− in solution, so they are not Arrhenius bases.

Arrhenius bases create hydroxide ions (OH−) when dissolved in water. Sodium hydroxide does exactly that: it dissociates completely into Na+ and OH−, so the solution has a high concentration of OH−, fitting the Arrhenius definition of a base. The other substances are acids: sulfuric acid and nitric acid donate protons (H+) to water, producing hydronium, while acetic acid is a weak acid. They do not increase OH− in solution, so they are not Arrhenius bases.

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