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What is it?
Hydroxide ions (OH-) are produced when water molecules(H2O) ionize (or break down into their chemical components) to become hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-). Think of hydroxide ions as water molecules that carry a negative charge because they have lost a positively charged hydrogen ion.
Substances with a high concentration of hydroxide ions are bases. Bases have a pH rating of seven or higher and turn litmus paper blue.
Give me an example! What are some common basic substances around your house? Soaps and other cleaners are. These items all contain high concentrations of hydroxide ions in comparison to a glass of water, which contains mostly water molecules (H2O) and is relatively neutral in its pH. |
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