A small amount of sodium hydroxide is added to water. When the chemical reaction reaches equilibrium, the pH is 12. Which statement and conclusion about sodium hydroxide is correct.

3 answers

The statement "Sodium hydroxide is a strong base" is correct.

The conclusion that can be drawn is that sodium hydroxide dissociates completely in water to release hydroxide ions, leading to a high concentration of OH- ions and a high pH.
How many OH- Ions are there
In water, sodium hydroxide dissociates into sodium ions (Na+) and hydroxide ions (OH-). Since sodium hydroxide is a strong base, it completely dissociates in water.

Therefore, for every sodium hydroxide molecule that dissociates, one hydroxide ion (OH-) is released. So, the amount of hydroxide ions present in the water is equal to the amount of sodium hydroxide added.