According to the Arrhenius definition, what do acids produce?

The Arrhenius definition of acids focuses on their behavior in aqueous solutions. According to this definition, acids are substances that, when dissolved in water, increase the concentration of hydrogen ions, or protons. This is a critical aspect of understanding an acid's characteristic properties.

When an Arrhenius acid is dissolved in water, it dissociates to release protons (H+), which leads to an increase in the acidity of the solution. For example, when hydrochloric acid (HCl) is dissolved in water, it dissociates into H+ ions and chloride ions (Cl-), thus elevating the proton concentration in the solution.

In contrast, the other options do not fit the Arrhenius definition for acids. Hydroxide ions are associated with Arrhenius bases, not acids. Aqueous solutions describe the state of the substances but do not define their properties. Organic compounds, while they can be acidic, are too broad and do not specifically apply to the Arrhenius definition. Hence, the definition clearly highlights that an Arrhenius acid produces protons in solution.