Re: composition of water

It is called self-ionization or autoionization and the reaction is:
2H20 <=> H3O+ + OH- the equilibrium constant for this reaction is 10^-14 the H3O+ ion is called hydronium and it was denoted in the past as H+ the reason that the H-O bond is broken is the attraction of the other Oxygen to form the hydronium ion. So you need to water molecules to have self-ionization. Hope this helps
--- In [email protected], "earthsaver1" <saveontoner@...> wrote:
>
> My understanding of water is that it is composed of H2O molecules, H+ and OH-.  Can someone explain to me how the water breaks apart to give the 2 ions and likewise reform to form water.  I understand there are bonds broken but is there a reason why?
> Sorry if this is naive but I am a Biology teacher trying to explain this question to a student.
> Thank you in advance
> 
> Dick
>




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