Difference between revisions of "Base"
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(added Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis definitions) |
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| − | A '''base''' is a [[molecule]] which accepts H<sup><small>+</small></sup> [[ion]]s in a [[chemical reaction]]. Bases have a bitter taste and turn red [[litmus paper]] blue. Bases feel slippery when dissolved in water. Most strong bases contain a [[hydroxide]] ion. | + | A '''base''' is a [[molecule]] which produces [[hydroxide]] ions when added to water (according to the Arrhenius definition), which accepts H<sup><small>+</small></sup> [[ion]]s in a [[chemical reaction]] (according to the Bronsted-Lowry definition), or which donates an [[electron]] pair in a reaction (according to the Lewis definition). Bases have a bitter taste and turn red [[litmus paper]] blue. Bases feel slippery when dissolved in water. Most strong bases contain a [[hydroxide]] ion. |
[[Category:Chemistry]] | [[Category:Chemistry]] | ||
Revision as of 05:04, March 30, 2008
A base is a molecule which produces hydroxide ions when added to water (according to the Arrhenius definition), which accepts H+ ions in a chemical reaction (according to the Bronsted-Lowry definition), or which donates an electron pair in a reaction (according to the Lewis definition). Bases have a bitter taste and turn red litmus paper blue. Bases feel slippery when dissolved in water. Most strong bases contain a hydroxide ion.