Ontario Operator-in-Training (OIT) Practice Exam

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Study for the Ontario Operator-in-Training (OIT) Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions for preparation, with hints and explanations for each. Get ready for your exam!

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What characterizes a base in water chemistry?

It has a pH of less than 7
It contains more free hydrogen ions than hydroxyl ions
It has a pH more than 7
It creates acidic solutions

The correct answer is: It has a pH more than 7

A substance characterizes a base in water chemistry by having a pH greater than 7. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where lower values indicate acidic solutions, a neutral pH is represented by a value of 7, and values above 7 indicate basic (or alkaline) solutions. Bases typically dissociate in water to produce hydroxide ions (OH-), which increase the concentration of these ions in the solution, raising the pH above 7 and making the solution basic. This definition aligns with the fundamental concepts of acid-base chemistry, highlighting the significant role that the concentration of hydroxide ions plays in characterizing the nature of a solution.