An aqueous solution of an ionic compound turns red litmus blue, conducts electricity, and reacts with an acid to form a salt and water. This compound could be

An aqueous solution of an ionic compound turns red litmus blue, conducts electricity, and reacts with an acid to form a salt and water. This compound could be

• A. LiOH
• B. HCl
• C. NaI
• D. KNO3

Answer: (A)

A substance that turns red litmus blue, conducts electricity in solution, and reacts with acids to form a salt and water is a base. In water, a base dissociates to yield hydroxide ions (OH–), which makes the solution basic, turning red litmus blue and allowing electrical conduction due to mobile ions. When a base meets an acid, they neutralize to form a salt and water. Lithium hydroxide fits all of this: it dissociates into Li+ and OH–, giving a basic solution that turns red litmus blue and conducts electricity. It also neutralizes acids, such as HCl, to produce LiCl and H2O. The other options are acids or salts that do not produce OH– in solution or do not undergo neutralization to water and a salt, so they do not satisfy all the observed properties.

A substance that turns red litmus blue, conducts electricity in solution, and reacts with acids to form a salt and water is a base. In water, a base dissociates to yield hydroxide ions (OH–), which makes the solution basic, turning red litmus blue and allowing electrical conduction due to mobile ions. When a base meets an acid, they neutralize to form a salt and water.

Lithium hydroxide fits all of this: it dissociates into Li+ and OH–, giving a basic solution that turns red litmus blue and conducts electricity. It also neutralizes acids, such as HCl, to produce LiCl and H2O. The other options are acids or salts that do not produce OH– in solution or do not undergo neutralization to water and a salt, so they do not satisfy all the observed properties.