What determines the magnitude of the equilibrium constant of the autoprotolysis reaction of water? #2H_2O(l) rightleftharpoons H_3O^+ + HO^(-).# #K_w=10^(-14).#

1 Answer
anor277 · Manikandan S.
Aug 11, 2017

The strength of the interatomic bond...........

Explanation:

And the stability of the particles formed by such dissociation.....

As you know water undergoes such dissociation, in a so-called autoprotolysis reaction.....

#2H_2O rightleftharpoons H_3O^+ + OH^-#

And the extent of this dissociation is very small.......

#K_w=[H_3O^+][HO^-]=10^-14#.

On the other hand, hydrogen chloride is a covalent molecule, that is supplied as a gas........

Because it can undergo protolysis, we would represent its dissolution in water as......

#HCl(g) stackrel(H_2O)rarrH_3O^+ + Cl^-#

Even despite such dissociation the #H-X# bond is covalent to a first approximation, and it can be supplied in a gaseous cylinder....The hydrochloric acid that we use in bottles, when the acid is solvated, has a concentration of approx. #10.6*mol*L^-1#.

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