Question

The pH of an aqueous solution is an indication of the concentration of available protons. However, you should not expect to find lone protons in solution; rather, the proton is added to a water molecule to form a(n) ______________ ion.

(a) hydroxide
(b) ammonium
(c) chloride
(d) hydronium

Answer 1

The correct answer is (d) hydronium. When a proton is added to a water molecule, it forms a hydronium ion (H3O+). The concentration of hydronium ions in a solution determines its acidity or basicity, which is measured on the pH scale.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is (d) hydronium.

When a proton is added to a water molecule, it forms a hydronium ion (H3O+). The hydronium ion is the more logical representation of a hydrogen ion in an aqueous solution, as bare protons do not exist in solution. The concentration of hydronium ions in a solution determines its acidity or basicity, which is measured on the pH scale.

In a neutral solution, the concentration of hydronium ions is equal to the concentration of hydroxide ions. An acidic solution has a higher concentration of hydronium ions, while a basic solution has a lower concentration of hydronium ions.