Which term describes a substance that produces a solution with more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions?

Which term describes a substance that produces a solution with more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions?

• A. Acid
• B. Base
• C. pH
• D. Reactivity

Answer: (B)

A substance that produces more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions in solution is a base. This aligns with the Arrhenius idea that bases increase the concentration of OH− in water, which raises the pH above 7 and creates a basic (alkaline) solution. For example, when sodium hydroxide dissolves, it releases OH− ions, tipping the balance toward more OH− than H+. Acids do the opposite, increasing H+ and giving acidic solutions (pH below 7). The term pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is, not a substance itself, and reactivity is not what defines this balance.

A substance that produces more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions in solution is a base. This aligns with the Arrhenius idea that bases increase the concentration of OH− in water, which raises the pH above 7 and creates a basic (alkaline) solution. For example, when sodium hydroxide dissolves, it releases OH− ions, tipping the balance toward more OH− than H+. Acids do the opposite, increasing H+ and giving acidic solutions (pH below 7). The term pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is, not a substance itself, and reactivity is not what defines this balance.