Chemistry: Molecular Approach (4th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134112830
ISBN 13: 978-0-13411-283-1

Chapter 16 - Exercises - Page 771: 17

Answer

In a pure water solution, the $[H_3O^+]$ produced by the autoionization is equal to $1.0 \times 10^{-7}$, which is already a very small number. When acid is added to water, it will produce more $H_3O^+$, and according to Le Chatelier's Principle, the autoionization of water will shift to the left, producing even less hydronium ion (since more product was added) from this reaction: $$2H_2O(l) \leftrightharpoons H_3O^+(aq) + OH^-(aq)$$ Therefore, the contribution of the autoionization of water is very small in most acid solutions and can be neglected.

Work Step by Step

In a pure water solution, the $[H_3O^+]$ produced by the autoionization is equal to $1.0 \times 10^{-7}$, which is already a very small number. When acid is added to water, it will produce more $H_3O^+$, and according to Le Chatelier's Principle, the autoionization of water will shift to the left, producing even less hydronium ion (since more product was added) from this reaction: $$2H_2O(l) \leftrightharpoons H_3O^+(aq) + OH^-(aq)$$ Therefore, the contribution of the autoionization of water is very small in most acid solutions and can be neglected.
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