Base Chemistry Example 3

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 3

medium
Identify whether NaOH is an acid or a base. Write the dissociation equation in water.

Solution

  1. 1
    Recall that a base is a substance that produces OH−\text{OH}^- ions in aqueous solution (Arrhenius definition) or accepts protons (Br\u00f8nsted-Lowry definition).
  2. 2
    NaOH is sodium hydroxide. It contains the hydroxide group OH−\text{OH}^-, so it is a base.
  3. 3
    Write the dissociation equation: NaOH→H2ONa++OH−\text{NaOH} \xrightarrow{\text{H}_2\text{O}} \text{Na}^+ + \text{OH}^- NaOH fully dissociates in water, making it a strong base.

Answer

NaOH is a base. Dissociation: NaOH→Na++OH−\text{NaOH} \rightarrow \text{Na}^+ + \text{OH}^-.
NaOH is a strong base because it completely dissociates in water to release hydroxide ions (OH−\text{OH}^-). The presence of OH−\text{OH}^- ions makes the solution basic with a pH well above 7.

About Base

A substance that accepts H+\text{H}^+ ions (protons) or donates OH−\text{OH}^- ions when dissolved in solution, raising the pH above 7.

Learn more about Base →

More Base Examples

Example 1 easy

According to the Arrhenius definition, what makes a substance a base? Give two examples.

Example 2 medium

Ammonia ([formula]) is a base but does not contain [formula]. Using the Brønsted-Lowry definition, e

Example 4 easy

Is a solution with pH = 12 acidic, neutral, or basic?

Example 5 easy

A base is added to water. What happens to the hydrogen-ion concentration, and why?

← All Base Examples Base Concept

Related Concepts

IonAcidpHNeutralization