Which of the following is not a strong base?
In the world of chemistry, bases are substances that can accept protons or donate hydroxide ions (OH-) in an aqueous solution. Strong bases are those that completely dissociate in water, releasing a high concentration of hydroxide ions. However, not all bases fall into this category. In this article, we will explore some common substances and determine which one is not a strong base.
Introduction to Strong Bases
Strong bases are characterized by their high solubility in water and their ability to completely dissociate into ions. Some well-known examples of strong bases include sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). These bases are highly reactive and can cause severe burns if they come into contact with skin or eyes.
Substances to Consider
To determine which of the following substances is not a strong base, let’s take a look at some common examples:
1. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
2. Potassium hydroxide (KOH)
3. Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)
4. Ammonia (NH3)
5. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)
Analyzing the Substances
1. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH): As mentioned earlier, NaOH is a strong base. It completely dissociates in water, producing sodium ions (Na+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).
2. Potassium hydroxide (KOH): Similar to NaOH, KOH is a strong base. It also completely dissociates in water, releasing potassium ions (K+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).
3. Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2): This compound is another strong base. It dissociates in water to produce calcium ions (Ca2+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).
4. Ammonia (NH3): Ammonia is a weak base. It does not completely dissociate in water, and only a small portion of ammonia molecules react with water to form ammonium ions (NH4+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).
5. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3): This compound is a weak base. It partially dissociates in water, producing sodium ions (Na+), bicarbonate ions (HCO3-), and hydroxide ions (OH-).
Conclusion
After analyzing the substances listed above, we can conclude that ammonia (NH3) is not a strong base. While it can accept protons and donate hydroxide ions, it does not completely dissociate in water like the other substances mentioned. Therefore, ammonia is the correct answer to the question “Which of the following is not a strong base?
