Chemistry 10th Edition

Published by Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.
ISBN 10: 1133610668
ISBN 13: 978-1-13361-066-3

Chapter 18 - Ionic Equilibria I: Acids and Bases - Exercises - The Autoionization of Water - Page 743: 11

Answer

$$K_w = [H_3O^+][OH^-]$$ At room temperature, we know that: $K_w = 1.0 \times 10^{-14}$ for that reaction. Therefore: $$1.0 \times 10^{-14} = [H_3O^+][OH^-]$$ $$[OH^-] = \frac{1.0 \times 10^{-14} }{[H_3O^+]}$$ $$[H_3O^+] = \frac{1.0 \times 10^{-14} }{[OH^-]}$$

Work Step by Step

At any equilibrium, we can write an expression that relates a constant to a multiplication of the concentrations of the compounds in this equilibrium reaction. In the autoionization of water, the process is the same. Following the reaction: $$ H_2O(l) + H_2O(l) \leftrightharpoons H_3O^+(aq) + OH^-(aq)$$ We can write the expression: $$K_c = \frac{[H_3O^+][OH^-]}{[H_2O][H_2O]}$$ But, since the concentration of water in an aqueous solution does not change, we can simplify it to: $$K_c = [H_3O^+][OH^-]$$ At room temperature, we know that: $K = 1.0 \times 10^{-14}$ for that reaction. Therefore: $$1.0 \times 10^{-14} = [H_3O^+][OH^-]$$ $$[OH^-] = \frac{1.0 \times 10^{-14} }{[H_3O^+]}$$ $$[H_3O^+] = \frac{1.0 \times 10^{-14} }{[OH^-]}$$
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