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Which of the following is not a strong base?

1) Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
2) Potassium hydroxide (KOH)
3) Ammonium hydroxide (NH₄⁺OH)
4) Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)

User HarryFink
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Final answer:

Ammonium hydroxide (NH₄⁺OH) is not a strong base, unlike sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂), which completely dissociate in water. The correct answer is 4) Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2).

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the options given, ammonium hydroxide (NH₄⁺OH) is not a strong base. Strong bases, like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH), completely dissociate in water to release hydroxide ions (OH⁻) and their respective cations (Na⁺ and K⁺). Ammonium hydroxide is different as it is the aqueous form of ammonia (NH₃), which is a weak base because it does not fully dissociate in water. Instead, only a small percentage of ammonia molecules react with water to form ammonium ions (NH₄⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻).

Although calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) is only slightly soluble in water, the portion that does dissolve dissociates completely, making it a strong base. So, out of the given options, the answer is 4) Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2).

User DSGym
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