Let's carefully examine the given chemical reaction to understand which characteristic of a base it demonstrates:
[tex]\[ \text{CuSO}_4(aq) + 2 \text{NaOH}(aq) \longrightarrow \text{Cu(OH)}_2(s) + \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4(aq) \][/tex]
We need to determine which of the given characteristics of a base this reaction demonstrates:
1. The ability of bases to release sodium ions into solution
2. The ability of bases to release hydrogen ions into solution
3. The ability of a base to react with carbonate or bicarbonate
4. The ability of a base to react with a soluble metal salt
We know that bases typically do not release hydrogen ions into solution but rather accept them. Therefore, option 2 can be ruled out.
Next, consider the specific reaction given:
- [tex]\(\text{CuSO}_4\)[/tex] is a soluble metal salt.
- [tex]\(\text{NaOH}\)[/tex] is a base.
In this reaction, [tex]\(\text{NaOH}\)[/tex] reacts with [tex]\(\text{CuSO}_4\)[/tex] to form [tex]\(\text{Cu(OH)}_2\)[/tex], which is a solid precipitate (indicated by [tex]\(s\)[/tex]), and [tex]\(\text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4\)[/tex], which is soluble in water.
This indicates that [tex]\(\text{NaOH}\)[/tex] is reacting with a soluble metal salt to form a new substance (a precipitate in this case).
Therefore, the reaction demonstrates the ability of a base ([tex]\(\text{NaOH}\)[/tex]) to react with a soluble metal salt ([tex]\(\text{CuSO}_4\)[/tex]). This matches the description in option 4.
Thus, the correct characteristic demonstrated by the given reaction is:
- The ability of a base to react with a soluble metal salt.
So, the result is option 4.
