What is a base?

Question

i read a definition for it but i don't quite get it. what does it mean by "a base is any substance that can accept H+ ions"?

Answer 1

There are multiple definitions of a base, the oldest is that which turns litmus blue, followed by a chemical that neutralizes acids, then that which takes in H+, and finally an electron pair donor.

for example of your question take ammonia, NH3, it is a base it readily will undergo the reaction (NH3) + (H+) <=> (NH4+) meaning that the ammonia will take in the free proton and become something new (ammonium ion)

As another example take NaOH also known as lye, when placed in a water environment the Na+ breaks off of the OH- and then any free H+s can easily bond to that OH- making water, there fore NaOH also qualifies as a base.

Answer 2

One such base is OH-, because OH- + H+ ===> H2O It accepted H+ ion. But ammonia, NH3, can also be a base, because NH3 + H+ ===> NH4+. You read the Bronsted-Lowry definition of acids and bases. An acid is whatever donates protons, H+. A base is whatever accepts protons. If HCl donates the proton to become Cl-, then Cl- is the conjugate base (in this definition). NH4+. in the example above is the conjugate acid (it could donate the H+ back to something else).

Answer 3

Base is the new name for an alkali. It is the opposite of an acid. It has an OH. It has a pH greater than 7. It reacts with fat to make soap..neutralizes acid to make a salt. In water it dissociates to form OH- ions which can bond with a H+ to form water.

Answer 4

A base will accept H+ ions so that it will be more stable.

Ex HO- + H+ ---> H2O, here we see that O no longer has a minus charge but it is neutral So the hydroxide (HO-) with the minus charge on O is less stable then water (H-O-H), because the O (in water) is not charged at all.

Similarly HS- + H+ ---> H2S (charged S is less stable than uncharged S).

Answer 5

Well it depends on your definitions... a Bronsted Lowry base accepts H+ (protons) while a Lew base donates electrons. In the future you will deal much more with Lewis bases so i suggest using that definition. Bases pull electrons from acids.. that is why strong bases are corrosive (they pull electrons from the atoms in your skin cells)..likewise acids are also corrosive since they donate electrons to you skin cells

Answer 6

base is that which has replaceable hydroxyl ions
or which has a pH value >7

Answer 7

opposite of acid. (vinegar is not acidic, it's a base good for acid indigestion)

Answer 8

something that is not an acid