One water molecule gains a hydrogen and therefore takes on a positive charge, while the other water molecule loses a hydrogen atom and therefore becomes negatively charged. OH - is called a hydroxyl ion and it makes things basic. However, in water, there is a balance between hydroniums and hydroxyls so they cancel each others' charges. Pure water is neither acidic or basic; it is neutral.
So how does something become acidic or basic? That happens when the hydroniums and the hydroxyls are out of balance. If there are more positively charged hydroniums than negatively charged hydroxyls, then the substance is acidic. If there are more negatively charged hydroxyls than positively charged hydroniums, then the substance becomes basic. Watch out for that, and ask for clarification! When we dissolve acids in water, we create an excess of hydroniums. When we dissolve bases in water, we create an excess of hydroxyls.
Here are two examples. Now let's look at lye, a strong base with the chemical formula NaOH sodium hydroxide. The sodiums don't do anything important, but the hydroxyls make the solution more basic. One last question: Why are strong acids and strong bases so nasty? Therefore, they are named following the rules for molecular or organic compounds.
For example, methyl amine CH 3 NH 2 is a weak base. Boundless vets and curates high-quality, openly licensed content from around the Internet. This particular resource used the following sources:. Skip to main content. Atoms, Molecules, and Ions. Search for:.
Naming Acids and Bases. They break up completely to produce a high concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution. Higher tier Strong alkalis completely ionise in water.
They break up completely to produce a high concentration of hydroxide ions in the solution. Higher tier Weak acids only partially ionise in water. Only a small fraction of their molecules break into hydrogen ions when added to water. Higher tier Weak alkalis only partially ionise in water.
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