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Identify the base present in alkaline storage battery. Select one or more:

a) Lithium hydroxide (LiOH)
b) Ammonia (NH_3)
c) Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2)
d) Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

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Final answer:

The base present in an alkaline storage battery is sodium hydroxide (NaOH). When dissolved in water, NaOH dissociates to yield Na+ and OH- ions, making it a strong base. The formulas for other hydroxide-containing compounds are Ni(OH)2, Al(OH)3, and AgOH.

Step-by-step explanation:

To identify the base present in an alkaline storage battery, we need to consider the common bases used in such batteries. The options provided include Lithium hydroxide (LiOH), Ammonia (NH3), Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), and Sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Among these, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is the base typically associated with alkaline storage batteries, such as those used in uninterrupted power supplies (UPS) and emergency lighting systems. NaOH is an ionic compound that produces hydroxide ions when dissolved in water, confirming its status as a base.

The formulas for the following bases are as follows:


  • Nickel (II) hydroxide: Ni(OH)2

  • Aluminum hydroxide: Al(OH)3

  • Silver hydroxide: AgOH

Additionally, ammonia (NH3) is a weak base that increases hydroxide ion concentration by reacting with water. Ionic compounds such as NaOH and Ca(OH)2, containing the hydroxide ion (OH−), are considered strong bases because they completely dissociate in water to release hydroxide ions.