Q. Which is a strong base? HCl, NaOH, NH3, H3CO3.

Q: Which chemical is the strongest base among \mathrm{HCl,\ NaOH,\ NH_3,\ H_3CO_3} ?

\mathrm{NaOH} is a strong base; it fully dissociates to \mathrm{OH^-} . \mathrm{NH_3} is weak, and \mathrm{HCl} and \mathrm{H_3CO_3} are acids.

Q: Why is \mathrm{NaOH} considered a strong base?

Because \mathrm{NaOH} is a strong electrolyte and dissociates completely in water: \mathrm{NaOH \rightarrow Na^+ + OH^-} . More \mathrm{OH^-} means higher basic strength.

Q: Is \mathrm{NH_3} a base, and how does it act in water?

Yes. \mathrm{NH_3} accepts a proton: \mathrm{NH_3 + H_2O \rightleftharpoons NH_4^+ + OH^-} . It only partially reacts, so it is a weak base.

Q: Why isn’t \mathrm{HCl} a base?

\mathrm{HCl} is an acid; it donates \mathrm{H^+} in water, forming \mathrm{H_3O^+} . A base produces \mathrm{OH^-} or accepts protons.

Q: Does \mathrm{H_3CO_3} behave as a base or acid?

As written, \mathrm{H_3CO_3} is an acid (contains \mathrm{H} that can be donated). Acids increase \mathrm{H_3O^+} rather than acting as bases.

Q: What key idea determines base strength in a list of acids and bases?

Compare how completely each species forms or provides \mathrm{OH^-} in water. Strong bases fully dissociate; weak bases only partially react.

Q: If only one option is “strong base,” which one should you pick quickly?

Choose \mathrm{NaOH} . Group 1 hydroxides are strong bases, while \mathrm{NH_3} is weak and the others are acids.

Answer

A strong base produces a hydroxide ion completely in water. \(\text{NaOH}\) is an alkali hydroxide that dissociates fully, so it is the strong base. \(\text{HCl}\) is an acid, \(\text{NH}_3\) is a weak base, and \(\text{H}_3\text{O}_3\) is not a base.

Final answer: \(\text{NaOH}\).

Detailed Explanation

We are asked: which option is a strong base?

Options: HCl, NaOH, NH3, H3CO3

A strong base is a base that fully dissociates (or ionizes) in water to produce a large amount of hydroxide ions, \( \mathrm{OH^-} \).

Step 1: Check each substance

1) HCl

\( \mathrm{HCl} \) is an acid, not a base. In water it donates \( \mathrm{H^+} \), and it does not produce \( \mathrm{OH^-} \). So it is not a strong base.

2) NaOH

\( \mathrm{NaOH} \) is a classic strong base. In water it dissociates completely into \( \mathrm{Na^+} \) and \( \mathrm{OH^-} \).

That means it produces a high concentration of \( \mathrm{OH^-} \), which is the definition of a strong base.

3) NH3

\( \mathrm{NH_3} \) is a weak base. It reacts with water only partially, producing \( \mathrm{OH^-} \) to a limited extent.

Therefore it is not a strong base.

4) H3CO3

\( \mathrm{H_3CO_3} \) is written like an acid (it starts with \( \mathrm{H} \)). Compounds with \( \mathrm{H} \) at the beginning are typically acids, not bases, and they do not dissociate to form \( \mathrm{OH^-} \) as a strong base would.

So it is not a strong base.

Step 2: Choose the strong base

Among the choices, the only one that is a strong base is NaOH.

Final Answer: \( \mathrm{NaOH} \)

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General Chemistry FAQs

Which chemical is the strongest base among \( \mathrm{HCl,\ NaOH,\ NH_3,\ H_3CO_3} \)?

\( \mathrm{NaOH} \) is a strong base; it fully dissociates to \( \mathrm{OH^-} \). \( \mathrm{NH_3} \) is weak, and \( \mathrm{HCl} \) and \( \mathrm{H_3CO_3} \) are acids.

Why is \( \mathrm{NaOH} \) considered a strong base?

Because \( \mathrm{NaOH} \) is a strong electrolyte and dissociates completely in water: \( \mathrm{NaOH \rightarrow Na^+ + OH^-} \). More \( \mathrm{OH^-} \) means higher basic strength.

Is \( \mathrm{NH_3} \) a base, and how does it act in water?

Yes. \( \mathrm{NH_3} \) accepts a proton: \( \mathrm{NH_3 + H_2O \rightleftharpoons NH_4^+ + OH^-} \). It only partially reacts, so it is a weak base.

Why isn’t \( \mathrm{HCl} \) a base?

\( \mathrm{HCl} \) is an acid; it donates \( \mathrm{H^+} \) in water, forming \( \mathrm{H_3O^+} \). A base produces \( \mathrm{OH^-} \) or accepts protons.

Does \( \mathrm{H_3CO_3} \) behave as a base or acid?

As written, \( \mathrm{H_3CO_3} \) is an acid (contains \( \mathrm{H} \) that can be donated). Acids increase \( \mathrm{H_3O^+} \) rather than acting as bases.

What key idea determines base strength in a list of acids and bases?

Compare how completely each species forms or provides \( \mathrm{OH^-} \) in water. Strong bases fully dissociate; weak bases only partially react.

If only one option is “strong base,” which one should you pick quickly?

Choose \( \mathrm{NaOH} \). Group 1 hydroxides are strong bases, while \( \mathrm{NH_3} \) is weak and the others are acids.

Strong base: HCl + NaOH + NH3.
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