Bases, like acids, exhibit distinct characteristics when dissolved in aqueous solutions. When bases are placed in water, they ionize, releasing hydroxide ions (OH^-) and cations. For instance, sodium hydride (NaH) dissociates into sodium ions (Na⁺) and hydride ions (H^-), while strontium hydroxide (Sr(OH)₂) breaks down into strontium ions (Sr²⁺) and two hydroxide ions (OH^-).

In terms of sensory properties, bases are known for their bitter taste, which can be remembered by associating the letter "B" in "bases" with "bitter." Additionally, bases feel slippery to the touch, a characteristic that can be exemplified by soap, which is a common basic substance used in everyday life.

Litmus paper serves as a useful indicator for identifying bases. When red litmus paper is introduced to a basic solution, it changes color to blue, indicating the presence of hydroxide ions. This reaction is similar to how litmus paper is used to test for acids, but in this case, the transition from red to blue signifies a basic environment.

Understanding these properties of bases—ionization in water, sensory characteristics, and litmus paper reactions—provides a foundational knowledge of their behavior in chemical contexts.