Arrheniusterminologien

Arrheniusterminologien refers to the set of terms and concepts introduced by Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius, particularly in the field of chemistry and physical chemistry. His most significant contributions relate to the theory of electrolytic dissociation and its implications for understanding acids, bases, and salts.

Central to Arrheniusterminologien is the definition of an acid as a substance that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in water, and a base as a substance that increases the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) in water. A salt, in this framework, is formed from the reaction of an acid and a base, typically resulting in the formation of water and a neutral salt.

The concept of electrolytes, substances that conduct electricity when dissolved in water due to the presence of ions, is also a key element of Arrheniusterminologien. Arrhenius proposed that in solution, ionic compounds dissociate into their constituent ions, making the solution electrically conductive. This theory explained many previously observed phenomena in electrochemistry and paved the way for further developments in ionic theory. The term "Arrhenius equation" is also associated with him, though it describes the temperature dependence of reaction rates rather than his electrolytic theories.