What Happens to an Acid or a Base in a Water Solution?
Acids and bases exhibit distinct behaviors when dissolved in water. Acids are substances that release hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved, contributing to their acidic character, while bases yield hydroxide ions (OH-), indicating their alkaline nature. This ionization is critical in defining their chemical properties and reactions.
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Ionization of Acids and Bases
- Acids like hydrochloric acid (HCl) dissociate in water to form hydronium ions, which are represented as H+(aq):
\[ \text{HCl} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{H}_3\text{O}^+ + \text{Cl}^- \]
- Bases such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) dissociate to provide hydroxide ions:
\[ \text{NaOH} \rightarrow \text{Na}^+ + \text{OH}^- \]
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Conductivity of Solutions
- Since the presence of H+(aq) and OH-(aq) ions allows solutions to conduct electricity, both acids and bases are electrolytes in aqueous solutions.
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Exothermic Reactions
- The process of dissolving acids or bases in water can be exothermic. Thus, concentrated acids must always be added to water to avoid splashing due to the heat generated.
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pH Scale
- The behavior of acids and bases in solution is also quantified using the pH scale, which ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline), with 7 being neutral. This scale is crucial in environmental and biological systems.
This section lays the foundation for understanding the behavior of acids and bases in practical applications and daily life, including their role in neutralization reactions and their effects on living organisms.