What evidence indicates that a base dissociates in water?

1 Answer
zhirou
Apr 11, 2018

We know a base dissociates in water if the solution is able to conduct electricity.

Explanation:

When bases dissociate in water, two ions are formed.
For example, when #NaOH# dissociates in water, it separates into the #Na^+# cation and the #OH^-# anion.

These ions are both charged and able to move in solution. So, because it is a charge carrier, it will be able to conduct electricity.

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This means that we can test whether a base dissociates in water or not by running an electric current through it.

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