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Calculating the pH of a Strong Base

AQA A-level ChemistryAcids, Bases and BuffersLesson 9 of 15

The strength of a base is its ability to dissociate and generate OH- ions in solution. Strong bases are alkalis. They dissociate completely to give hydroxide ions and cations. For example, sodium hydroxide is a strong base.

NaOH(aq) → Na+(aq) + OH-(aq)

Diagram

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Key terms in this lesson

ionic product of water
The equilibrium constant for the ionisation of water, Kw = [H+][OH-], equal to 1.0 x 10-14 mol2 dm-6 at 25 degrees C.

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