Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A base is a substance that can accept hydrogen ions (protons) or more generally, donate a pair of valence electrons. Bases typically have a pH greater than 7 and are often characterized by their bitter taste and slippery feel.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Bases react with acids to form water and salts in neutralization reactions.
Common examples of bases include sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and ammonia (NH₃).
Bases turn red litmus paper blue, indicating their alkaline nature.
In aqueous solutions, bases produce hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
The strength of a base is determined by its ability to dissociate in water; strong bases dissociate completely while weak bases do not.
Review Questions
Related terms
Acid: A substance that donates hydrogen ions (protons) or accepts electron pairs. Acids have a pH less than 7.
Neutralization Reaction: A chemical reaction in which an acid and a base react quantitatively with each other to form water and a salt.
A scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution, ranging from 0 to 14, with values below 7 indicating acidity and above 7 indicating alkalinity.