Hydroxide is a negatively charged ion (OH-) that is formed when a hydrogen atom is removed from a water molecule. It is an important chemical species in the context of pH and pOH, as it plays a crucial role in determining the acidity or basicity of a solution.
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Hydroxide ions (OH-) are the conjugate base of water, formed when a water molecule loses a proton (H+).
The presence of hydroxide ions in a solution increases the pH, making the solution more basic or alkaline.
The concentration of hydroxide ions in a solution is inversely related to the concentration of hydrogen ions, as described by the equation pH + pOH = 14.
Hydroxide ions can react with hydrogen ions to form water molecules, a process that is essential in maintaining the pH balance of a solution.
The strength of a base is determined by its ability to donate hydroxide ions, with stronger bases having a higher concentration of hydroxide ions in solution.
Review Questions
Explain the relationship between hydroxide ions and pH in a solution.
The concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) in a solution is directly related to the pH of that solution. As the concentration of hydroxide ions increases, the pH of the solution increases, making it more basic or alkaline. This is because hydroxide ions are the conjugate base of water, and their presence reduces the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in the solution, thereby increasing the pH. The relationship between pH and hydroxide ion concentration is described by the equation pH + pOH = 14, where pOH is a measure of the hydroxide ion concentration.
Describe the role of hydroxide ions in acid-base reactions.
Hydroxide ions (OH-) play a crucial role in acid-base reactions, as they can act as a base by accepting protons (H+) from acids. When an acid and a base react, a neutralization reaction occurs, where the acid and base form a conjugate acid-base pair. In this process, the hydroxide ions from the base combine with the hydrogen ions from the acid to form water molecules, which are neutral. This neutralization reaction is essential in maintaining the pH balance of a solution, as it helps to regulate the concentration of both hydrogen and hydroxide ions.
Analyze how the strength of a base is related to the concentration of hydroxide ions.
The strength of a base is directly related to its ability to donate hydroxide ions (OH-) in a solution. Stronger bases have a higher concentration of hydroxide ions, which means they can more readily accept protons (H+) from acids. This increased concentration of hydroxide ions in a solution makes the solution more basic or alkaline, as it reduces the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+). The strength of a base is often measured by its pH, with higher pH values indicating a stronger base. Therefore, the concentration of hydroxide ions in a solution is a key factor in determining the overall basicity and strength of a base.
pOH is a measure of the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) in a solution, and is related to pH by the equation pH + pOH = 14.
Acid-Base Reaction: An acid-base reaction is a chemical reaction in which a proton (H+) is transferred from an acid to a base, resulting in the formation of a conjugate acid-base pair.