Arrhenius Theory of Acids & Bases
Arrhenius Theory of Acids & Bases

Svante Arrhenius defined Arrhenius acids as substances that dissociated in aqueous solution to produce [math]"H"^"+"[/math], or hydrogen ions, as the only positive ions. One example of an Arrhenius acid is HCl. It is worth noting that hydrogen ions typically do not exist in aqueous solution on their own, however. Instead, hydrogen ions typically combine with water in aqueous solution to form a hydronium ion, written as [math]"H"_3"O"^"+"[/math]. Arrhenius acids tend to turn litmus red and tend to neutralize bases.
Svante Arrhenius defined Arrhenius bases as substance that dissociated in aqueous solution to produce [math]"OH"^"-"[/math], or hydroxide ions, as the only negative ions. One example of an Arrhenius base is NaOH. Arrhenius bases tend to turn litmus blue and tend to neutralize acids.
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