Chapter 18: Q20P (page 824)

What is the difference between $K_{c}$ and $K_{w}$ for the autoionization of water?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The difference is:

$K_{c} = \frac{[H_{3} O^{+}] [{OH}^{-}]}{{[H_{2} O]}^{2}} and K_{w} = [H_{3} O^{+}] [{OH}^{-}]$

Step by step solution

Definition of concept

The autoionization of water refers to the reaction of water molecules to form two ions, the hydronium ion, which is $H 3 O^{+}$ , and the hydroxide ion, which is ${OH}^{-}$ .

Explanation

The equilibrium constant of water is Kc

$H_{2} O + H_{2} O ֏ H_{3} O^{+} + {OH}^{-} K_{c} = \frac{[H_{3} O^{+}] [{OH}^{-}]}{{[H_{2} O]}^{2}}$

We move it to the other side since the concentration $H_{2} O$ is constant.

$K_{c} {[H_{2} O]}^{2} = [H_{3} O^{+}] [{OH}^{-}]$

After that, we create a new variable called $K_{c} {[H_{2} O]}^{2}$ , which is the $K_{w}$ . So there you have it.

$K_{w} = K_{c} {[H_{2} O]}^{2} = [H_{3} O^{+}] [{OH}^{-}]$

Therefore, The difference between $K_{c}$ and $K_{w}$ is that $K_{c} [H_{3} O^{+}]$

$K_{c} = \frac{[H_{3} O^{+}] [{OH}^{-}]}{{[H_{2} O]}^{2}}$ and $K_{w} = [H_{3} O^{+}] [{OH}^{-}]$

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What is the difference between $K_{c}$ and $K_{w}$ for the autoionization of water?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Definition of concept

Explanation

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What is the difference between KcandKw for the autoionization of water?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Definition of concept

Explanation

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

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Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

What is the difference between $K_{c}$ and $K_{w}$ for the autoionization of water?