Which statement best characterizes an aqueous solution of a base?

Which statement best characterizes an aqueous solution of a base?

• A. Contains more OH- than H+
• B. Contains more H+ than OH-
• C. Contains equal numbers
• D. Contains no ions

Answer: (B)

In a base dissolved in water, the amount of hydroxide ions (OH-) becomes larger than the amount of hydrogen ions (H+). This makes the solution basic, with a pH greater than 7. The defining feature of an aqueous base is that [OH-] > [H+]. By contrast, an acidic solution has more H+ than OH-, and a neutral solution has roughly equal amounts of both due to water’s own autoionization. Also, dissolving a base creates ions, so it isn’t correct to say there are no ions in the solution.

In a base dissolved in water, the amount of hydroxide ions (OH-) becomes larger than the amount of hydrogen ions (H+). This makes the solution basic, with a pH greater than 7. The defining feature of an aqueous base is that [OH-] > [H+]. By contrast, an acidic solution has more H+ than OH-, and a neutral solution has roughly equal amounts of both due to water’s own autoionization. Also, dissolving a base creates ions, so it isn’t correct to say there are no ions in the solution.