Strong base dissociation

Definition

A strong base gives up hydroxide completely the moment it dissolves. Sodium hydroxide dissociates as NaOH gives Na+ plus OH-, and potassium hydroxide behaves the same way.

The released hydroxide hunts down free hydrogen and folds it back into water, so the proton population plummets and pH shifts basic. In the chapter, 30 percent potassium hydroxide was the caustic dosed for neutralization. Because dissociation is immediate, the unbound hydroxide acts at once on whatever hydrogen is present.

Related concepts

Neutralization · Strong acid dissociation · Acid base equilibrium tug-of-war

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry