What happens when acid is dissolved in water?
It releases H+ ions.
By the Arrhenius definition, an acid is a substance that produces hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in water. For example, HCl dissociates as HCl → H+ + Cl−.
These H+ ions actually combine with water to form hydronium ions (H3O+), and it is the presence of these ions that gives an acidic solution its sour taste, its ability to turn blue litmus red and its low pH. Hence dissolving an acid in water releases H+ ions.
Releasing OH− ions is the property of a base, not an acid. An acid forms a salt only when it reacts with a base (neutralisation), not merely on dissolving in water. Dissolving an acid in water actually allows it to ionise and show its acidic nature, so it does not lose its acidic properties.
Similar Questions
The molecular mass of carbon dioxide is:
A sample of brass is melted and poured into a mold to make a musical instrument. Which of the following correctly explains why brass is classified as a homogeneous mixture?
Important Questions from Basic Concepts of Chemistry
- Which one of the following is a chemical change?
Which one of the following methods can be used to separate anthracene from a mixture of salt and anthracene ?
Which among the following are essential constituents of Portland cement?
20 g of common salt is dissolved in 180 g of water. What is the mass percentage of the salt in the solution?
Combination of one volume of nitrogen with three volumes of hydrogen produces
