The Arrhenius Theory of Acids and Bases Optional

1 Distinguish between an acid and a base according to the Arrhenius theory [Pg.502]

In 1884, Svante Arrhenius observed that all substances called acids contain hydrogen ions, H. Bases, on the other hand, always contained hydroxide ions, OH . An acid was thus identified as a substance whose water solution contains more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions, and a base is a substance whose water solution contains more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions. According to the Arrhenius theory of acids and bases, the properties of an acid are the properties of the hydrogen ion, and the properties of a base are the properties of the hydroxide ion. [Pg.502]

Among the properties of acids and bases is their ability to neutralize each other. The net ionic equation for the reaction between a strong acid, HCl, and a strong base, NaOH, is a molecule-forming ion combination that yields water [Pg.502]

If the acid is weak, the hydroxide ion essentially pulls a hydrogen ion right out of the un-ionized molecule [Pg.502]

The carbon dioxide from the reaction of an acid with a carbonate compound is the end result of the combination of hydrogen and carbonate ions. The expected product is carbonic acid, H2CO3. However, in Section 9.9 you learned that this is one of the unstable products of an ion combination. It decomposes into carbon dioxide and water [Pg.502]

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