what-is-the-equilibrium-expression-for-the-auto-ionization-of-water-and-what-doe

Question

What is the equilibrium expression for the auto-ionization of water, and what does the ion product constant (K_{w}) represent?

Accepted Answer

K_{w} = [$$H^{+}$$][$$OH^{-}$$], representing the product of the concentrations of hydronium and hydroxide ions.

Answer

K_{w} = [$$H_{3}$O^{+}$$][$$OH^{-}$$], representing the sum of the concentrations of hydronium and hydroxide ions.

Answer

K_{w} = [$$H_{2}O$$], representing the concentration of water molecules.

Answer

K_{w} = [$$H^{+}$$][$$H_{2}O$$], representing the product of the concentrations of hydrogen ions and water molecules.

What is the equilibrium expression for the auto-ionization of water, and what does the ion product constant (Kw) represent?