What is the defining characteristic of an Arrhenius acid?

An Arrhenius acid is defined by its ability to produce hydrogen ions (H+) in aqueous solution. This definition stems from Svante Arrhenius, who established a framework for categorizing acids and bases in the late 19th century. When an Arrhenius acid dissolves in water, it dissociates to release H+, which is the key component that defines the acidic nature of a solution. This increase in the concentration of H+ ions is what leads to the characteristic properties of acids, such as taste (sour), reactivity with metals, and the ability to turn blue litmus paper red.

Understanding this definition is crucial, as it sets the foundation for further exploration into acid-base theories beyond Arrhenius, including the Bronsted-Lowry and Lewis definitions. The other choices involve different aspects of acid-base chemistry but do not align with the specific definition of an Arrhenius acid. For instance, producing OH- ions is the hallmark of Arrhenius bases, while neutralizing bases merely describes a property of acids rather than their definition. Lastly, containing no H+ is contrary to the defining feature of an Arrhenius acid itself.