Q. 10.27 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

In an acidic solution, how does the concentration of ${\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{O}}^{+}$ compare to the concentration of ${\mathrm{OH}}^{-}$?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The concentration ${\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{O}}^{+}$ is greater than ${\mathrm{OH}}^{-}$.

Step 1: Introduction

• The aqueous cation ${\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{O}}^{+}$, a form of oxonium ion created by protonation of water, is known as hydronium. When an Arrhenius acid is dissolved in water, it is commonly referred to as the positive ion because the Arrhenius acid particles in liquid give up a proton to the exchange of ions.
• Hydroxide has the chemical formula $O{H}^{-}$ and is a diatomic anion. It has a negative electric charge and is made up of an oxygen and hydrogen atom bound together by a single covalent bond. It is a significant but generally insignificant component of water.

Step 2: Explanation

The concentration of ${\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{O}}^{+}$ in an acidic solution is larger than that of ${\mathrm{OH}}^{-}$.