What do you mean by ion product? What is the definition for the ion product of water?

1 Answer
Jul 11, 2015

The ion product of water is simply the product of the characteristic cation and anion of water, #K_w = [OH^-][H^+]#.

Explanation:

The ion product is simply another equilibrium expression. It has been extensively and precisely measured for water at various temperatures, and is most often quoted for standard conditions: 1 atm pressure, 298 K. Under standard conditions, #K_w = 10^-14#.

Under non-standard conditions, i.e. temperatures greater than 298 K, would you expect #K_w# to increase or decrease? Why?