Question

Arrhenius bases release _____ into water?

A. Protons H+

B. Hydroxide Ions OH-

C. Electrons


ANSWER: HYDROXIDE IONS OH-

Answer 1

An Arrhenius base releases hydroxide ions (OH-) when dissolved in water. These ions characterize basic solutions and can neutralize the H+ ions produced by Arrhenius acids, which leads to the formation of water in acid-base reactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

An Arrhenius base is recognized by its ability to dissociate in water to release hydroxide ions (OH-). The process increases the concentration of these hydroxide ions in the solution, which in turn can react with and neutralize H+ ions (protons) present in the solution, thereby reducing its acidity and increasing the pH. For example, when sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a typical Arrhenius base, is dissolved in water, the following dissociation occurs:

NaOH(s) → Na+ (aq) + OH-(aq)

This reaction shows that NaOH separates into sodium ions (Na+) and hydroxide ions (OH-), which are responsible for the basic properties of the solution. The presence of OH- indicates a basic solution, as opposed to Arrhenius acids, which increase the concentration of H+ ions in a solution.

Reactions between Arrhenius acids and bases result in the formation of water. This can be seen in reactions where the released hydroxide ions from the base and the protons from the acid combine to form H2O, such as:

H+(aq) + OH-(aq) → H2O(l)

Answer 2

Arrhenius bases release hydroxide ions (OH−) into water, contributing to the fundamental concepts of acid-base chemistry developed by Svante Arrhenius, where they play a key role in neutralization reactions with acids.

Step-by-step explanation:

Arrhenius bases are compounds that release hydroxide ions (OH−) into water. This classification of bases was proposed by the Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius in 1884. When an Arrhenius base like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is dissolved in water, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na+) and hydroxide ions (OH−), thereby increasing the concentration of OH− in the solution. This process is fundamental to understanding acid-base chemistry, where acids release H+ ions in solution, while bases remove these protons, either by releasing OH− ions that combine with H+ to form water or by directly accepting H+ ions.

For example, the neutralization reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) can be represented by the net ionic equation:

H+ (aq) + OH− (aq) → H2O(l)

Here the H+ ions from the acid and the OH− ions from the Arrhenius base combine to form water, illustrating the neutralization process.