According to the Arrhenius definition, what does an acid do?

The Arrhenius definition describes acids as substances that, when dissolved in water, increase the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+). This means that an Arrhenius acid releases H+ ions into the solution, which is a fundamental characteristic of acids according to this definition. The increase in H+ levels correlates directly with the acidic nature of the solution, leading to a decrease in pH, representing a more acidic environment.

This understanding is crucial in acid-base chemistry because it connects the behavior of acids in aqueous solutions with their chemical properties and how they interact with bases. The associated increase in H+ ions plays a significant role in determining the acidity of a solution and its potential reactions with bases or other compounds.