Which term describes any substance that increases the concentration of hydroxide ions in a solution?

Which term describes any substance that increases the concentration of hydroxide ions in a solution?

• A. Base
• B. Isotopes
• C. Dose
• D. Toxicology

Answer: (A)

Bases are substances that increase the concentration of hydroxide ions in an aqueous solution. In water, bases release OH− or otherwise shift the equilibrium to produce more hydroxide ions, which raises the pH and makes the solution basic. That’s why compounds like NaOH or KOH create highly basic solutions. The other terms don’t describe substances that alter OH− levels: isotopes are different forms of an element, dose refers to the amount of exposure, and toxicology is the study of poisons. So the term that fits is base.

Bases are substances that increase the concentration of hydroxide ions in an aqueous solution. In water, bases release OH− or otherwise shift the equilibrium to produce more hydroxide ions, which raises the pH and makes the solution basic. That’s why compounds like NaOH or KOH create highly basic solutions. The other terms don’t describe substances that alter OH− levels: isotopes are different forms of an element, dose refers to the amount of exposure, and toxicology is the study of poisons. So the term that fits is base.