how is the concentration of hydroxide ions affected when excess base is dissolved in a solution of sodium hydroxide
How is the concentration of hydroxide ions affected when excess base is dissolved in a solution of sodium hydroxide?
Answer:
When excess base is dissolved in a solution of sodium hydroxide, the concentration of hydroxide ions will increase. Since sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong base that dissociates completely in water to form sodium ions (Na⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻), adding more base will result in higher concentrations of hydroxide ions in the solution.
The excess base provides additional hydroxide ions beyond what is needed for neutralization, causing the solution to become more alkaline. The pH of the solution will rise as the concentration of hydroxide ions increases, indicating a shift towards the basic end of the pH scale.
It is important to note that the concentration of hydroxide ions in the solution will depend on the amount of excess base added. The more excess base that is added, the higher the concentration of hydroxide ions will be. This process demonstrates the strong alkaline nature of sodium hydroxide and its ability to increase the concentration of hydroxide ions in solution when added in excess.