What Happens to an Acid or a Base in a Water Solution
Acid is a chemical substance that releases hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in water. Acids often have a sour taste and can turn blue litmus paper red. Some common examples of acids are Hydrochloric acid (HCl), Carbonic acid (H2CO3), Citric acid, etc.
Base, on the other hand, is a chemical substance that, when dissolved in water, releases hydroxide ions (OH–). Bases often have a bitter taste and can turn red litmus paper blue. Common examples of bases include sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and ammonia (NH3), etc.
When an acid or a base is dissolved in water, it undergoes a process called dissociation, leading to the formation of ions. The following changes occur when an acid or a base is dissolved in the water.
Acid in a Water Solution
When an acid is dissolved in water, dissociation occurs, forming the conjugate base. This process is done in the following steps:
Step 1: Proton Donation: Acids are substances that can donate protons (H+ ions). When an acid is dissolved in water, it donates a proton to a water molecule.
Step 2: Formation of Hydronium Ions (H3O+): The proton donated by the acid combines with a water molecule to form a hydronium ion (H3O+), leaving behind a conjugate base.
Example:
HCl + H2O ⟶ H3O++ Cl−
Base in a Water Solution
When a base is dissolved in water, dissociation occurs. This process is done in the following steps:
Step 1: Hydroxide Ion Formation: Bases are substances that can accept protons (H+ ions) or donate hydroxide ions (OH⁻). When a base is dissolved in water, it accepts a proton from a water molecule or donates a hydroxide ion.
Step 2: Formation of Hydroxide Ions (OH⁻): In the case of strong bases, such as sodium hydroxide, the base completely dissociates into ions, leading to the presence of hydroxide ions in the solution.
Example:
NaOH (aq) → Na+(aq) + OH−(aq)
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