Chapter 19.2, Problem 18LC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation : The concentrations of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions related to an aqueous solution are to be reviewed.

Concept Introduction : A hydrogen ion added to a water molecule transforms it into a hydronium ion. A hydroxide ion is created when a water molecule loses one of its hydrogen ions.

Answer to Problem 18LC

The concentration of hydrogen ions gives the acidic solution and the concentration of hydroxide ions gives the basic solution in an aqueous solution.

Explanation of Solution

The water molecules react to give a hydronium ion $\left({\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}\right)$ and a hydroxide ion $\left({\text{OH}}^{-}\right)$ .

  ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O+H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\rightleftharpoons {\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}{\text{+OH}}^{-}$

Water self-ionization is the process by which water molecules generate ions which are given as follows:

  ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\rightleftharpoons {\text{H}}^{\text{+}}{\text{+ OH}}^{-}$

The acidic solution is formed by hydrogen ion $\left({\text{H}}^{\text{+}}\right)$ and the basic solution is formed by hydroxide ions $\left({\text{OH}}^{-}\right)$ in an aqueous solution.