Question

Write balanced equations showing how three of the common strong acids ionize to produce hydrogen ion.

Answer 1

Three common strong acids ionize completely in water to produce hydrogen ions and their corresponding anions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ionization of strong acids in water leads to the production of hydrogen ions (H+) along with their respective anions. Below are the balanced chemical equations showing the ionization of three common strong acids:

1. Hydrochloric acid (HCl): HCl(aq) ⇌ H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
2. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4): H2SO4(aq) ⇌ 2H+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
3. Nitric acid (HNO3): HNO3(aq) ⇌ H+(aq) + NO3-(aq)

For the net ionic equation representing the neutralization of a strong acid with an ionic hydroxide, it is important to realize that strong acids completely ionize in water. When a strong acid reacts with an ionic hydroxide, hydronium ions (H3O+) and hydroxide ions (OH-) form water (H2O), while the anion from the acid remains in solution:

H3O+(aq) + OH-(aq) ⇌ 2H2O(l)

In essence, the net ionic equation for the neutralization of any strong acid with an ionic hydroxide simply shows the formation of water and is the same regardless of the specific acid used.