Question

Ammonia is classified as a weak base in water. This means that it produces?

1) no hydroxide ions.
2) a relatively small fraction of the maximum number of possible hydroxide ions.
3) a relatively large fraction of the maximum number of possible hydroxide ions.
4) 100

Answer 1

Ammonia is a weak base, and when dissolved in water produces a relatively small fraction of the maximum number of possible hydroxide ions (2).

Step-by-step explanation:

Ammonia is classified as a weak base in water, meaning that when it reacts with water, it produces a relatively small fraction of the possible hydroxide ions. The chemical reaction can be represented as:

NH3(aq) + H₂O(l) → NH4+(aq) + OH⁻(aq)

In this reaction, only a tiny proportion of the ammonia molecules actually dissociate to form ammonium ions (NH4+) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻). Therefore, ammonia produces:

1. No hydroxide ions.
2. A relatively small fraction of the maximum number of possible hydroxide ions.
3. A relatively large fraction of the maximum number of possible hydroxide ions.
4. 100% ionization (which is characteristic of strong bases).

The correct answer to the question is:

2) A relatively small fraction of the maximum number of possible hydroxide ions.