Which of the following best describes the difference between aqueous solutions of a strong base and a weak base?

• A. A strong base forms a precipitate in water, while a weak base remains fully dissolved.
• B. A strong base dissociates completely in water, producing a high concentration of OH^- ions, while a weak base only partially dissociates, resulting in fewer OH^- ions.
• C. Both strong and weak bases dissociate completely in water, but strong bases produce more H^+ ions.
• D. Weak bases dissociate completely in water, while strong bases only partially dissociate.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of base strength in aqueous solutions: strong bases dissociate completely in water, meaning they release all their hydroxide ions (OH^-) into the solution.
2. Recognize that weak bases only partially dissociate in water, so only some of the base molecules release OH^- ions, resulting in a lower concentration of hydroxide ions compared to strong bases.
3. Recall that the concentration of OH^- ions determines the basicity (pH) of the solution; strong bases produce a higher concentration of OH^- ions, making the solution more basic.
4. Note that the formation of a precipitate is not a defining characteristic of strong bases in water; most strong bases are soluble and fully dissociate without forming precipitates.
5. Eliminate incorrect options by comparing their claims to the definitions: strong bases do not produce H^+ ions (that’s acids), and weak bases do not dissociate completely.