A substance that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions when placed in water because it donates, or releases, H+ ions is a(n):
Answer (1)
The substance being referred to in the question is an 'acid.' In chemistry, an acid is defined as a substance that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions (H + ) in an aqueous solution. This ability to release H + ions is what characterizes a substance as an acid.
When an acid is dissolved in water, it donates hydrogen ions to the solution. For example, when hydrochloric acid (HCl) is placed in water, it dissociates into H + and Cl − :
HCl → H + + Cl −
This process increases the concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution, making the solution more acidic.
In summary, an acid is a substance that, when dissolved in water, donates hydrogen ions, thereby increasing their concentration. Understanding the behavior of acids in water is fundamental to the study of chemistry, especially when dealing with reactions, pH levels, and the properties of substances.
