Final answer:
An Arrhenius base is a compound that releases hydroxide ions (OH-) and a metal cation when dissolved in water, with common examples including sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.
Step-by-step explanation:
An Arrhenius base is a compound consisting of hydroxide ions and a metal cation. This compound ionizes in aqueous solution to yield hydroxide ions (OH-), leading to an increase in the OH- ion concentration when the base is added to water. Examples of Arrhenius bases are sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). These compounds, when dissolved in water, disassociate into their respective metal cations and hydroxide anions (OH-).
For instance, the chemical equation for the dissociation of sodium hydroxide is:
NaOH(s) → Na+ (aq) + OH- (aq)
The naming of Arrhenius bases follows the structure where the name starts with the metal element transitioning into the name of the hydroxide ion, resulting in names like “sodium hydroxide” or “potassium hydroxide.”