What do alkalis produce when dissolved in water?

When alkalis are dissolved in water, they produce negative hydroxide ions. An alkali is a type of base that is soluble in water, and when it dissolves, it dissociates into its constituent ions. Specifically, alkalis release hydroxide ions (OH⁻) into the solution. This is what characteristic distinguishes them from other types of compounds, as the presence of hydroxide ions results in an increase in the pH of the solution, making it alkaline.

The production of hydroxide ions is crucial because it is these ions that react with acids in neutralization reactions, forming water and a salt. Understanding this property is fundamental to the study of acids and bases in chemistry, as it helps clarify the behavior of substances when mixed and their overall chemical reactions in different environments.