Question

When H2SO4 ionizes in water, how many total ions will be present? Is this an acid or base?

a 3 ions, it's an acid
b 3 ions, it's a base
c 6 ions, it's an acid
d 6 ions, it's a base

Answer 1

the only thing I know is that it's 3 ions sorry.

Answer 2

The answer is a that is 3 ions, it's an acid

When H₂SO₄ ionizes in water, it will produce 3 ions and as it gives H⁺ ions by reacting with water so it is known as acid. The ionization of H₂SO₄, can be shown by following reactions.

H₂SO₄ + H₂O ---> H₃O⁺ + HSO₄⁻

HSO₄⁻ + H₂O ---> H₃O⁺ + SO₄²⁻

As it can be seen from the equations that the number of ions produced is 3.