Question

Is the autoionization of water endothermic or exothermic?

Answer 1

The autoionization of water is an endothermic process, requiring heat to proceed. Its extent is represented by the ion-product constant for water, Kw, which increases with temperature.

Step-by-step explanation:

The autoionization of water is an endothermic process. This means it requires the absorption of heat. The extent of water autoionization is often expressed in terms of the ion-product constant for water, Kw. At 25 °C, Kw is 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁴, indicating that only about two out of every billion water molecules are ionized. With an increase in temperature, the value of Kw increases, reflecting a higher degree of ionization; for instance, at 100 °C, Kw is approximately 5.6 × 10⁻¹³.

Answer 2

it is an endothermic because water can not give off heat it can only take from others like if you were to boil water the water is endothermic and the heat is the exothermic