Chemistry / Unit 10 Chem 1799 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Arrhenius Acid-Base Definition
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The idea
The Arrhenius definition names an acid as a substance raising hydrogen ion concentration in water, a base as one raising hydroxide ion concentration in water.
In practice
HCl dissolving releases H+, an Arrhenius acid; NaOH dissolving releases OH−, an Arrhenius base.
Where people slip
This definition only works in water, leaving familiar bases like ammonia unclassified by its wording alone.
Your place on the trail
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