Acid-Base Theory: Definition of Acid-Base by Arrhenius

Svante Arrhenius

In 1884, a Swedish scientist, Svante Arrhenius, defined the definition of acid base based on ionization reaction. According to Arrhenius:

Acid is any substance that produce H⁺ ion if it is dissolved in water.

 

 

 

Example:

HCl(aq) →H⁺ (aq) + Cl^-(aq)

CH₃COOH(aq)→ H⁺ (aq) + CH₃COO^-(aq)

H₂SO₄(aq) → 2H⁺(aq) + SO₄^2-(aq)

Base is any substance that produces OH^- ion if it is dissolved in water

 

 

Example:

NaOH(aq) →Na⁺ (aq) + OH^-(aq)

KOH(aq)→ K⁺ (aq) + OH^-(aq)

Mg(OH)₂(aq) → Mg²⁺(aq) + 2OH^-(aq)