Answer to Question #53355 in General Chemistry for whitney

Question

Which of the following is the ionization constant expression for water?

Kw = [ H+ ] [ OH- ]

Kw = [ H2O ] / [ H+ ] [ OH- ]

Kw = [ H2O ] [ H2O ]

Kw = [ H+ ] [ OH- ] / [ H2O ]

none of the above

Answer 1

None of the above. The correct answer should be Kw=[H3O+][OH-]. These ions are produced by self-ionization reaction of two water molecules. This process is called autoprotolysis: H+ from one molecule protonates another water molecule. The result is composition of two ions: H3O+ and OH-.