Using an example of an Acid or a Base give the Arrhenius definition for acids and bases.

The Arrhenius definition, named after the Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius, defines an acid as a substance that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) when dissolved in water, while a base is a substance that increases the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH⁻).

Let’s take hydrochloric acid (HCl) as an example of an acid. When HCl is dissolved in water, it dissociates to form hydrogen ions (H⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻) as follows:

HCl(aq) → H⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq)

Therefore, according to the Arrhenius definition, since HCl increases the concentration of hydrogen ions in water, it is considered an acid.

For a base, let’s consider sodium hydroxide (NaOH). When NaOH is dissolved in water, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻):

NaOH(aq) → Na⁺(aq) + OH⁻(aq)

As NaOH increases the concentration of hydroxide ions in the water, it meets the Arrhenius definition of a base.