How did Arrhenius define an acid and a base?

The acid-base theory formulated by Svante Arrhenius in the late 19th century remains a fundamental concept in chemistry, especially for students beginning their study of chemical reactions in aqueous solutions. According to Arrhenius, acids and bases are substances that, when dissolved in water, alter the concentration of specific ions.

For acids, the critical constituent is the hydrogen ion (H⁺), which acids release into the solution upon dissolution. Bases, on the other hand, are distinguished by their ability to increase the hydroxide ion (OH⁻) concentration. When an acid and a base react, they often form water and an ionic compound known as a salt, showcasing a neutralization reaction.

Arrhenius's theory was pioneering because it linked the nature of acids and bases to their observable behavior in water, paving the way for other theories, such as the Bronsted-Lowry and Lewis theories, which expanded upon this foundation to account for a broader spectrum of acid-base reactions.

The concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution is a critical factor that determines the acidity of the solution. When an acid dissolves in water, it releases hydrogen ions, leading to an increase in the H⁺ concentration. The more hydrogen ions present, the stronger the acid becomes. It's essential for students to understand that the acidity of a solution is not just about the presence of hydrogen ions, but about their concentration.

To gauge this, scientists use the pH scale, which is a logarithmic scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. The pH scale typically runs from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Solutions with a pH less than 7 are acidic, implying a higher concentration of H⁺ ions, while those with a pH greater than 7 are alkaline (basic) with fewer H⁺ ions.

In the same vein, understanding the hydroxide ions concentration is crucial in determining the basicity of a solution. When a base is dissolved in water, it produces hydroxide ions (OH⁻), which modify the solution's chemical makeup. An increased concentration of hydroxide ions signifies a more potent base.

It's noteworthy that the acidity and basicity of solutions are inversely related through the concentration of these ions. Where the concentration of hydrogen ions is high, the concentration of hydroxide ions is correspondingly low, and vice versa. Students often encounter the term pOH as a way to describe the basicity of a solution, analogous to pH. It measures the concentration of hydroxide ions, and when combined with pH, reflects the foundational relationship defined by the water dissociation constant (K_w), which is the product of the concentrations of these ions in pure water at a particular temperature.