/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 30 (a) Write a chemical equation th... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

(a) Write a chemical equation that illustrates the autoionization of water. (b) Write the expression for the ion-product constant for water, \(K_{\mathrm{t} u}\). Why is \(\left[\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\right]\) absent from this expression? (c) A solution is described as basic. What does this statement mean?

Short Answer

Expert verified
(a) The autoionization of water is represented by the chemical equation: \[2H_2O(l) \rightleftharpoons H_3O^+(aq) + OH^-(aq)\] (b) The ion-product constant for water, \(K_{tu}\), is given by: \[K_{tu} = [H_3O^+][OH^-]\] \([H_2 O]\) is absent from this expression because its concentration is considered constant. (c) A solution is basic when the concentration of hydroxide ions (\(OH^-\)) is greater than the concentration of hydronium ions (\(H_3 O^+\)), meaning the solution has a pH greater than 7.

Step by step solution

01

(a) Autoionization of Water

In the autoionization of water, water molecules react with each other to produce hydronium ions (H3O+) and hydroxide ions (OH-). The chemical equation for the autoionization of water is as follows: \[2H_2O(l) \rightleftharpoons H_3O^+(aq) + OH^-(aq)\]
02

(b) Ion-product Constant for Water

The ion-product constant for water (\(K_{tu}\)) is the equilibrium constant for the autoionization reaction. The expression for the ion-product constant for water can be represented as: \[K_{tu} = [H_3O^+][OH^-]\] The concentration of the water molecule, \([H_2 O]\), is not included in this expression because water is the solvent and its concentration is considered constant throughout the reaction.
03

(c) Basic Solution

A solution is described as basic when the concentration of hydroxide ions (\(OH^-\)) in the solution is greater than the concentration of hydronium ions (\(H_3 O^+\)). In other words, a basic solution has a pH greater than 7.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Ion-product constant
The ion-product constant for water, often represented as \(K_w\), is a crucial element in understanding the behavior of water and aqueous solutions. It is defined in the context of the equilibrium that exists in the autoionization of water, where water molecules react with each other to form hydronium (\(H_3O^+\)) and hydroxide (\(OH^-\)) ions. The equilibrium constant for this reaction is expressed as:

\[K_w = [H_3O^+][OH^-]\].

Here are a few key points to note:
  • \(K_w\) is temperature-dependent; at 25°C, \(K_w\) is approximately \(1.0 \times 10^{-14}\).
  • The reason \([H_2O]\) does not appear in this expression is because it is the solvent, meaning its concentration is extremely large and changes negligibly, thus considered constant.
  • \(K_w\) combines the concentration products of both \(H_3O^+\) and \(OH^-\), painting a picture of a balanced chemical system at equilibrium.
Understanding \(K_w\) is fundamental when predicting how acids and bases will behave when dissolved in water.
Hydronium and hydroxide ions
In aqueous solutions, hydronium (\(H_3O^+\)) and hydroxide (\(OH^-\)) ions are the principal players in determining the solution's acidity or basicity. During the autoionization of water, two water molecules exchange protons:

\[2H_2O(l) \rightleftharpoons H_3O^+(aq) + OH^-(aq)\].

Here’s how they function:
  • Hydronium ions (\(H_3O^+\)): These ions form when a water molecule accepts an extra hydrogen ion. They characterize acidic solutions, which have a higher concentration of hydronium ions than hydroxide ions.
  • Hydroxide ions (\(OH^-\)): These ions result from the loss of a hydrogen ion from a water molecule. They dominate in basic solutions, where hydroxide ions outnumber hydronium ions.
The delicate balance between \(H_3O^+\) and \(OH^-\) concentrations is what determines if a solution is acidic, neutral, or basic. In a neutral solution, these concentrations are equal, aligning with the ion-product constant \(K_w\).
Basic solutions
A solution is termed "basic" when it features a greater concentration of hydroxide ions (\(OH^-\)) compared to hydronium ions (\(H_3O^+\)). This scenario typically corresponds to a pH value greater than 7.

Here's what you need to know about basic solutions:
  • Basic solutions, or alkaline solutions, result from substances like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) dissolving in water, increasing the \(OH^-\) concentration.
  • If \([OH^-] > [H_3O^+]\), the solution's pH reflects its basic nature. This relation is rooted in the inverted relationship between these ions within the ion-product constant \(K_w = [H_3O^+][OH^-]\).
  • Common indicators of basic solutions include a slippery feel and the ability to turn red litmus paper blue.
Whether in everyday materials such as cleaning agents or biological systems maintaining pH balance, basic solutions play numerous vital roles.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Calculate \(\left[\mathrm{H}^{+}\right]\) for each of the following solutions, and indicate whether the solution is acidic, basic, or neutral: (a) \(\left[\mathrm{OH}^{-}\right]=0.00045 \mathrm{M}\); (b) \(\left[\mathrm{OH}^{-}\right]=8.8 \times 10^{-9} \mathrm{M} ;(\mathrm{c})\) solution in which \(\left[\mathrm{OH}^{-}\right]\) is 100 times greater than \(\left[\mathrm{H}^{+}\right]\).

Arrange the following \(0.10 \mathrm{M}\) solutions in order of increasing acidity (decreasing pH): (i) \(\mathrm{NH}_{4} \mathrm{NO}_{3}\), (ii) \(\mathrm{NaNO}_{3}\), (iii) \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COONH}_{4}\) (iv) \(\mathrm{NaF}\), (v) \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COONa}\)

Calculate the molar concentration of \(\mathrm{OH}^{-}\) ions in a \(0.550 \mathrm{M}\) solution of hypobromite ion \(\left(\mathrm{BrO}^{-} ;\right.\) \(K_{b}=4.0 \times 10^{-6}\) ). What is the \(\mathrm{pH}\) of this solution?

Hemoglobin plays a part in a series of equilibria involving protonation- deprotonation and oxygenation-deoxygenation. The overall reaction is approximately as follows $$ \mathrm{HbH}^{+}(a q)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(a q) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{HbO}_{2}(a q)+\mathrm{H}^{+}(a q) $$ where Hb stands for hemoglobin, and \(\mathrm{HbO}_{2}\) for oxyhemoglobin. (a) The concentration of \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) is higher in the lungs and lower in the tissues. What effect does high \(\left[\mathrm{O}_{2}\right]\) have on the position of this equilibrium? (b) The normal \(\mathrm{pH}\) of blood is \(7.4\). Is the blood acidic, basic, or neutral? (c) If the blood \(\mathrm{pH}\) is lowered by the presence of large amounts of acidic metabolism products, a condition known as acidosis results. What effect does lowering blood \(\mathrm{pH}\) have on the ability of hemoglobin to transport \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) ?

Calculate \(\left[\mathrm{OH}^{-}\right]\) and \(\mathrm{pH}\) for (a) \(1.5 \times 10^{-3} \mathrm{M} \mathrm{Sr}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\) (b) \(2.250 \mathrm{~g}\) of \(\mathrm{LiOH}\) in \(250.0 \mathrm{~mL}\) of solution, \((c) 100 \mathrm{~mL}\) of \(0.175 \mathrm{M} \mathrm{NaOH}\) diluted to \(2.00 \mathrm{~L},(\mathrm{~d})\) a solution formed by adding \(5.00 \mathrm{~mL}\) of \(0.105 \mathrm{M} \mathrm{KOH}\) to \(15.0 \mathrm{~mL}\) of \(9.5 \times 10^{-2} \mathrm{M} \mathrm{Ca}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\)

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.