Compounds are classified as acids if they release ______ when they dissociate in water.Multiple choice question.hydrogen ionsbasessaltshydroxide ions

Break Down the Problem

1. We need to identify the correct definition of acids in terms of their behavior in water.
2. The options provided are: hydrogen ions, bases, salts, and hydroxide ions.

Relevant Concepts

1. According to the Bronsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases, an acid is defined as a substance that can donate a proton (H⁺ ion) in an aqueous solution.
2. In general, acids release hydrogen ions (H⁺) when they dissolve in water, which is crucial to their ability to produce acidic solutions.

Analysis and Detail

1. When acids are added to water, they dissociate to produce hydrogen ions. For example, hydrochloric acid (HCl) dissociates into H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions in solution: $\text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{H}^+ + \text{Cl}^-$
2. The other options:
   • Bases typically release hydroxide ions (OH⁻) when dissolved (the opposite behavior of acids).
   • Salts are formed from the neutralization reaction between acids and bases and do not specifically release hydrogen ions.
   • Hydroxide ions are characteristic of basic substances.

Verify and Summarize

• The definition and behavior of acids reveal that their primary feature in aqueous solutions is the release of hydrogen ions.

Final Answer

Compounds are classified as acids if they release hydrogen ions when they dissociate in water.