What characterizes a strong base in terms of dissociation?

A strong base is characterized by its ability to completely dissociate in water to produce hydroxide ions (OH⁻). This property means that when a strong base is added to water, it fully breaks apart into its constituent ions without leaving any undissociated molecules in solution. For example, substances like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) fully dissociate in water to yield high concentrations of hydroxide ions, which leads to a significant increase in the pH of the solution.

This complete dissociation is essential for defining the strength of the base, as it directly relates to the base's ability to neutralize acids and participate in chemical reactions. In contrast, other types of bases do not exhibit this behavior, either remaining intact or only partially breaking down into ions in solution, which is why they do not qualify as strong bases.