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The Ionic Product of Water Kw

Edexcel A-level ChemistryAcids, Bases and BuffersLesson 9 of 16

Pure water ionises into H+(aq) and OH-(aq) ions to a very tiny extent.

H2O(l) &rlhar H+(aq) + OH-(aq)

The equilibrium lies to the far left and there are very few ions. The dissociation is endothermic and requires energy. The expression for the acid dissociation constant is

Diagram

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