How do bases compare to pure water in terms of pH and concentration?

Bases are substances that can accept protons or donate electron pairs in chemical reactions. When comparing bases to pure water, it's important to note the characteristics of each concerning pH and concentration.

Pure water has a neutral pH of around 7, meaning it is neither acidic nor basic. When a base is added to water, the pH increases, typically rising above 7, indicating a more basic environment. Therefore, bases are associated with higher pH values than pure water.

In terms of concentration, bases can vary widely. However, when referring to a base that is dissolved in water, it generally means that the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH⁻) is increasing, which contributes to the higher pH observed in basic solutions. Even if the base is at the same molarity as pure water, it still results in a higher concentration of OH⁻ ions, which is key to defining its basicity.

Thus, a base will be at the same concentration as water if measuring pure water (as a solvent) and the base at a certain concentration; however, the critical difference lies in the pH, which will indeed be higher for the base.

So, while the concentration of a base can sometimes match that of pure water,