Which statement about strong bases is true?

Which statement about strong bases is true?

• A. They do not dissociate in water.
• B. They partially dissociate in water.
• C. They produce the greatest concentration of OH- ions in solution.
• D. They increase the acidity of the solution.

Answer: (C)

Strong bases dissociate completely in water, releasing OH- ions. Because the dissociation goes to completion, the OH- concentration in solution is as high as the base’s initial concentration allows. This is why they produce the greatest amount of hydroxide ions among bases. More OH- means a more basic, less acidic solution. So the true statement is that strong bases generate the highest OH- concentration in solution. The idea that they don’t dissociate or only partially dissociate describes weak bases, and bases don’t increase acidity; they increase basicity by raising OH- levels. For example, NaOH fully dissociates into Na+ and OH-, while a weak base like NH3 only partially reacts with water to form NH4+ and OH-.

Strong bases dissociate completely in water, releasing OH- ions. Because the dissociation goes to completion, the OH- concentration in solution is as high as the base’s initial concentration allows. This is why they produce the greatest amount of hydroxide ions among bases. More OH- means a more basic, less acidic solution. So the true statement is that strong bases generate the highest OH- concentration in solution. The idea that they don’t dissociate or only partially dissociate describes weak bases, and bases don’t increase acidity; they increase basicity by raising OH- levels. For example, NaOH fully dissociates into Na+ and OH-, while a weak base like NH3 only partially reacts with water to form NH4+ and OH-.