Which change would decrease the pH of a base in a solution at equilibrium?(1 point)

Question

Responses

increasing the initial concentration of solute
increasing the initial concentration of solute

increasing the strength of the base
increasing the strength of the base

decreasing the concentration of OH– ions
decreasing the concentration of OH – ions

decreasing the amount of water added to the solute

Answer 1

To decrease the pH of a base in a solution at equilibrium, the most effective change would be:

decreasing the concentration of OH⁻ ions.

When the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH⁻) decreases, the pH of the solution will decrease because pH is inversely related to the concentration of OH⁻ ions in basic solutions. Thus, as you reduce the OH⁻ concentration, the pH moves closer to neutral (7), resulting in a lower pH for the solution that initially was basic.