Kw
The relationship between the concentration of H3O+ and the
concentration of OH- shows a very consistent pattern.
| That pattern can be expressed mathematically by saying that the product of
the concentration of H3O+ times the concentration of OH-
remains a constant value of 1.0 x 10-14. That value has both a name and a
symbol. It is variously called the ion product constant for water,
the ionization constant of water,or simply the water constant.
The symbol is Kw. You should write down this relationship in
your workbook. |
| [H3O+] x [OH-] = 1.0 x 10-14
|
| [H3O+] x [OH-] = Kw
|
|
This equation for the ionization constant of water can be used in anumber of
calculations, as you will see next.
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Eden Francis
Clackamas Community College
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