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Question

Is NaOH an acid or base?


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Solution

Acid and base:

  • According to the Arrhenius Theory of acid and bases, Arrhenius acid is defined as any substance that ionizes to give theH+, or hydrogen, ion when it gets dissolved in water.
  • Whereas an Arrhenius base is defined as any substance that gives ionizes to give the OH, or hydroxide, ion when it gets dissolved in water.

NaOH is an acid or base:

  • NaOH is represented as an Arrhenius base because it dissociates in water to Hydroxide (OH)and Sodium(Na+) ions, which can be shown as;

NaOH(s)Na(aq)+OH-(aq)

  • Also, Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)contains Sodium, which is an alkali metal that resides on the leftmost side of the periodic table.
  • Hence it will form basic solutions as group 1 elements usually form the most basic solutions, which is one reason Na forms a strong base.

Hence, NaOH is a base.


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