What happens to the concentration of hydrogen ions in a basic solution?

What happens to the concentration of hydrogen ions in a basic solution?

• A. It increases significantly
• B. It decreases significantly
• C. It remains constant
• D. It fluctuates

Answer: (B)

In a basic solution, the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) decreases significantly. A basic solution, also known as an alkaline solution, has a higher concentration of hydroxide ions (OH⁻) compared to hydrogen ions. This is typically reflected in the pH scale, where a pH greater than 7 indicates a basic solution. As the pH increases from neutral (7), it signifies that the concentration of hydrogen ions is falling. For example, at a pH of 14, the concentration of hydrogen ions is \(1 \times 10^{-14}\) moles per liter, which is much lower than in a neutral solution where the concentration of hydrogen ions is \(1 \times 10^{-7}\) moles per liter. Therefore, the significant decrease in hydrogen ions is a characteristic property of basic solutions.

In a basic solution, the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) decreases significantly. A basic solution, also known as an alkaline solution, has a higher concentration of hydroxide ions (OH⁻) compared to hydrogen ions. This is typically reflected in the pH scale, where a pH greater than 7 indicates a basic solution.

As the pH increases from neutral (7), it signifies that the concentration of hydrogen ions is falling. For example, at a pH of 14, the concentration of hydrogen ions is (1 \times 10^{-14}) moles per liter, which is much lower than in a neutral solution where the concentration of hydrogen ions is (1 \times 10^{-7}) moles per liter. Therefore, the significant decrease in hydrogen ions is a characteristic property of basic solutions.