What is the charge on the hydronium ion (H_3O^+)?

• A. 1-
• B. 0
• C. 2+
• D. 1+

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that the hydronium ion is represented as \(\mathrm{H_3O^+}\), which means it is a water molecule (\(\mathrm{H_2O}\)) with an extra proton (\(\mathrm{H^+}\)) attached.
2. Understand that a neutral water molecule has no net charge, so its charge is 0.
3. When an extra proton (\(\mathrm{H^+}\)) is added to water, it contributes a positive charge of +1 because a proton carries a +1 charge.
4. Therefore, the hydronium ion (\(\mathrm{H_3O^+}\)) has a net charge equal to the charge of the added proton, which is +1.
5. Conclude that the charge on the hydronium ion is \$1+\(, corresponding to the notation \)\mathrm{H_3O^+}$.