Hydronium
H₃O⁺
Hydronium (H3O+) is a polyatomic ion that is formed when a proton (H+) is added to a water molecule (H2O). This happens when a strong acid is dissolved in water, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl). The H+ ion is attracted to the negatively charged oxygen atom in the water molecule, causing it to dissociate and form a hydronium ion.
The term hydronium is often used interchangeably with H+ or H3O+, especially in acid-base chemistry. It is a key player in the Bronsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases, where it is considered to be the conjugate acid of the water molecule, which acts as a base and accepts the proton to become hydronium.
Hydronium ions can conduct electricity when they are dissolved in water, and because they are strongly acidic, they can react with other substances in an aqueous solution. For example, they can react with hydroxide ions (OH-) to form water in an acid-base neutralization reaction.
In summary, hydronium is a polyatomic ion formed by the reaction of a proton and a water molecule, and it plays a key role in acid-base chemistry.
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