Answer
$HX(aq) + H_2O(l) \lt -- \gt X^-(aq) + H_3O^+(aq)$
+
$X^-(aq) + H_2O(l) \lt -- \gt HX(aq) + OH^-(aq)$
=
$HX(aq) + X^-(aq) + 2H_2O(l) \lt -- \gt X^-(aq) + HX(aq) + H_3O^+(aq) + OH^-(aq)$
- Eliminating the repeated ones:
$2H_2O(l) \lt -- \gt H_3O^+(aq) + OH^-(aq)$
Work Step by Step
1. Choose something to represent a generic acid:
- Like $HX$.
It needs a hydrogen in its formula.
2. Write its ionization equation:
$HX(aq) + H_2O(l) \lt -- \gt X^-(aq) + H_3O^+(aq)$
3. Identify the conjugate base, and write its ionization equation:
$X^-(aq) + H_2O(l) \lt -- \gt HX(aq) + OH^-(aq)$
4.Now, sum these two equations and eliminate the repeated compounds:
$HX(aq) + X^-(aq) + 2H_2O(l) \lt -- \gt X^-(aq) + HX(aq) + H_3O^+(aq) + OH^-(aq)$
- Eliminating the repeated ones:
$2H_2O(l) \lt -- \gt H_3O^+(aq) + OH^-(aq)$
