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What is meant by the self-ionization of water? Write the expression for \(K_{w}\). What is its value at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) ?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Self-ionization of water produces H鈧僌鈦 and OH鈦. \(K_w = [H鈧僌^+][OH^-]\) is \(1.0 \times 10^{-14}\) at 25掳C.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Self-Ionization of Water

Water can produce ions by itself in a process known as self-ionization, or autoionization. This occurs when two water molecules interact, and one donates a proton (H鈦) to the other, creating a hydronium ion (H鈧僌鈦) and a hydroxide ion (OH鈦). This is described by the chemical equation: 2H鈧侽(l) 鈬 H鈧僌鈦(aq) + OH鈦(aq).
02

Writing the Expression for the Ion Product of Water, \(K_w\)

The ion product constant for water, \(K_w\), is the equilibrium constant for the self-ionization of water. It is calculated using the concentrations of the ions produced: \[ K_w = [H鈧僌^+][OH^-] \]. Here, \([H鈧僌^+]\) and \([OH^-]\) are the molar concentrations of hydronium and hydroxide ions, respectively.
03

Determining the Value of \(K_w\) at \(25^{\\circ} \\mathrm{C}\)

At room temperature, which is approximately \(25^{\circ} \text{C}\), the value of \(K_w\) for pure water is known to be: \[ K_w = 1.0 \times 10^{-14} \].This value reflects the very low extent of self-ionization of water under typical conditions.

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Key Concepts

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

ion product constant (Kw)
Water is unique because it can ionize itself, producing ions through a process called self-ionization. In this transformation, two water molecules interact to form hydronium (H鈧僌鈦) and hydroxide (OH鈦) ions.
The equilibrium between these ions in pure water can be described using the ion product constant, denoted as Kw.
Kw represents the concentration of hydronium ions multiplied by the concentration of hydroxide ions:
  • \[ K_w = [H鈧僌^+][OH^-] \]
This expression depends on the conditions, most notably temperature.
At 25掳C, this value is approximately \[ 1.0 \times 10^{-14} \].
This small value indicates that water slightly ionizes, showing protons from one molecule can transfer to another.
In neutral water, the concentrations of H鈧僌鈦 and OH鈦 ions are equal, each equalling to about \[ 1.0 \times 10^{-7} \] M.
This balance maintains the neutrality of water under standard conditions.
Understanding this constant helps us comprehend aqueous solution equilibria.
hydronium ion (H3O+)
When water undergoes self-ionization, one of the key products is the hydronium ion (H鈧僌鈦).
Hydrogen ions, or protons (H鈦), in aqueous solutions, do not exist freely; they are always associated with water molecules.
This association forms the hydronium ion, a more accurate representation of a proton in water.
The presence of H鈧僌鈦 determines the acidity of a solution.Hydronium ions are central to acid-base chemistry since their concentration varies with solutions:
  • A high concentration of H鈧僌鈦 indicates an acidic solution.
  • A lower concentration suggests a more basic or neutral solution.
In pure water at 25掳C, [H鈧僌鈦篯 equals \[ 1.0 \times 10^{-7} \] M.This concentration is vital for calculating pH levels, a measure of acidity.
In the pH scale, pure water has a neutral pH of 7 because its hydronium ion concentration is equal to its hydroxide ion concentration.
Thus, understanding the role and concentration of H鈧僌鈦 is crucial for exploring many chemical reactions and processes.
hydroxide ion (OH-)
The hydroxide ion (OH鈦) also emerges from the self-ionization of water.
It forms when water molecules donate a proton, resulting in the release of OH鈦 ions in the solution.
Hydroxide ions play a crucial role in defining the basicity of a solution.The concentration of hydroxide ions is an essential factor when examining the characteristics of an aqueous solution:
  • High levels of OH鈦 suggest a basic environment.
  • Low levels correlate with acidic conditions.
At 25掳C, the OH鈦 ion concentration in pure water is also approximately \[ 1.0 \times 10^{-7} \] M, equal to the concentration of hydronium ions.However, any disruption in the balance between these ion concentrations can indicate a shift in pH:
  • More OH鈦 than H鈧僌鈦 shifts the pH above 7, signaling a basic solution.
  • More H鈧僌鈦 than OH鈦 shifts the pH below 7, suggesting acidity.
The relationship between these ions helps us predict how substances will behave in aqueous solutions, facilitating our understanding of chemical reactivity and balance.

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