Pure water ionises into H+(aq) and OH-(aq) ions to a very tiny extent.H2O(l) ⇌ 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
Since both [H2O(l)] and Ka are constant, this can be combined into one constant called Kw.Kw = [OH-][H+]At 25°C Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 mol2dm-6. This is the neutral point where [H+] = [OH-] for pure water so the [H+] at 25°C is 1.0 x 10-7
The Ionic Product of Water Kw
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Specification: OCR Chemistry A (H432), A-level, 5.1.3 Acids, bases and buffers. Topic: Acids, Bases and Buffers.
Key terms in this lesson
- acid dissociation constant Ka
- The equilibrium constant for the dissociation of a weak acid in aqueous solution.
More in Acids, Bases and Buffers
- The Acid Dissociation Constant Ka
- pH
- Calculating the pH of a Strong Acid
- Calculating the pH of a Weak Acid
- Calculating the pH of a Strong Base
- Buffer Solutions
- pH of a Buffer Solution
- Controlling the pH of Blood
All 15 lessons in Acids, Bases and Buffers · All OCR A-level Chemistry topics