A base solution has a greater concentration of which species compared to an acid solution?

A base solution has a greater concentration of which species compared to an acid solution?

• A. H3O+
• B. H+
• C. OH-
• D. O2-

Answer: (C)

Bases push the amount of hydroxide ions higher in solution. In water, acids increase hydronium (H3O+) while bases increase OH−; the two are tied together by the equilibrium of water, so boosting one suppresses the other. Therefore, a base solution has more hydroxide ions than an acid solution. Hydronium is more abundant in acidic solutions, not basic ones, and species like O2− aren’t a meaningful contributor in ordinary aqueous acid-base chemistry.

Bases push the amount of hydroxide ions higher in solution. In water, acids increase hydronium (H3O+) while bases increase OH−; the two are tied together by the equilibrium of water, so boosting one suppresses the other. Therefore, a base solution has more hydroxide ions than an acid solution. Hydronium is more abundant in acidic solutions, not basic ones, and species like O2− aren’t a meaningful contributor in ordinary aqueous acid-base chemistry.