Which substance would be considered an Arrhenius acid?

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 substance would be considered an Arrhenius acid?

Explanation:
Arrhenius acids are substances that, when dissolved in water, increase the concentration of hydronium ions (H3O+) by donating a proton (H+). Nitric acid releases H+ in solution to form H3O+ and NO3−, so it makes the solution acidic. Sodium chloride simply dissociates into Na+ and Cl− and doesn’t affect H3O+ levels. Ammonia acts as a base in water, accepting a proton to form NH4+ and OH−, which raises hydroxide instead of hydronium. Potassium hydroxide also provides OH−, not H3O+. Thus, the substance that behaves as an Arrhenius acid is nitric acid.

Arrhenius acids are substances that, when dissolved in water, increase the concentration of hydronium ions (H3O+) by donating a proton (H+). Nitric acid releases H+ in solution to form H3O+ and NO3−, so it makes the solution acidic. Sodium chloride simply dissociates into Na+ and Cl− and doesn’t affect H3O+ levels. Ammonia acts as a base in water, accepting a proton to form NH4+ and OH−, which raises hydroxide instead of hydronium. Potassium hydroxide also provides OH−, not H3O+. Thus, the substance that behaves as an Arrhenius acid is nitric acid.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy