alleryStart learning →What makes an aqueous solution basic?
AMore hydronium than hydroxide ions
BFewer hydronium than hydroxide ions
CEqual hydronium and hydroxide ions
DAn absence of hydronium ions entirely
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Fewer hydronium than hydroxide ions
1. Basic is the mirror image of acidic, judged on the same two ions.
2. It means the hydronium concentration is the lesser of the two.
3. Hydroxide ions therefore outnumber hydronium ions.
4. Neither ion ever disappears completely from an aqueous solution.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 14 "Acid-Base Equilibria", section 14.2 pH and pOH_
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