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Acid-Base Equilibria

The ionic product of water, Kw

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 1

Overview

Recall questions on the definition and value of Kw, why the concentration of water is omitted, the relationship between the hydrogen and hydroxide ion concentrations, the pH of pure water, and why that pH falls below seven as the temperature rises although the water stays neutral.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Write the equation for the ionisation of water.

Key term

Write the expression for the ionic product of water.

Key term

State the value and units of Kw at 298 K.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Write the equation for the ionisation of water.

    Model answer

    H₂O(l) ⇌ H⁺(aq) + OH⁻(aq).

  2. 2

    Write the expression for the ionic product of water.

    Model answer

    Kw = [H⁺][OH⁻].

  3. 3

    State the value and units of Kw at 298 K.

    Model answer

    1.00 × 10⁻¹⁴ mol² dm⁻⁶.

  4. 4

    Explain why the concentration of water does not appear in the expression for Kw.

    Model answer

    So little of the water ionises that its concentration is effectively constant, and that constant is included in the value of Kw.

  5. 5

    Calculate the hydrogen ion concentration in pure water at 298 K.

    Model answer

    Since [H⁺] equals [OH⁻], [H⁺] = √(1.00 × 10⁻¹⁴) = 1.00 × 10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³.

  6. 6

    State the value of pKw at 298 K.

    Model answer

    It is 14.00.

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