Q. 10.25 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

10.25 Why are the concentrations of ${\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{O}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{OH}}^{-}$equal in pure water?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

In pure water, $\left[{\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{O}}^{+}\right]=\left[{\mathrm{OH}}^{-}\right]$because in pure water, the transfer of a proton between two water molecules produces equal numbers of $H_3{O}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{OH}}^{-}$

Step 1: Introduction

The given are the two equations  $H_3{O}^{-}$ and $O{H}^{-}$ . To find how both are equal in pure water?

Step 2: Explanation

In pure water, $\left[{\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{O}}^{+}\right]=\left[{\mathrm{OH}}^{-}\right]$because in pure water, the transfer of a proton between two water molecules produces equal numbers of $H_3{O}^{+}$and $O{H}^{-}$