What is an Arrhenius acid?

An Arrhenius acid is defined as a substance that dissociates in aqueous solution to produce hydrogen ions (H⁺). This definition is fundamental to the understanding of acids in chemistry, as it highlights the role of hydrogen ions in acid-base reactions. According to Arrhenius's theory, when an acid dissolves in water, it releases H⁺ ions, which contribute to the solution's acidity. An example of this is hydrochloric acid (HCl), which dissolves in water to yield H⁺ and chloride ions (Cl⁻).

The context of this definition helps to clarify the concept of acidity in aqueous solutions and provides a straightforward way to classify substances as acids based on their behavior in water. In contrast, other definitions, such as those involving bases or other types of chemical behavior, are not applicable here. For instance, the concept of donating electrons or accepting protons is more aligned with Lewis or Brønsted-Lowry definitions respectively, and does not pertain specifically to the Arrhenius definition. Thus, recognizing that the essential characteristic of an Arrhenius acid is its ability to produce hydrogen ions is key to understanding this fundamental concept in chemistry.