How do we represent the complete, and net ionic equations for the reaction between hydrogen iodide, and potassium hydroxide?

1 Answer
Nov 9, 2016

#HI(aq) + KOH(aq) rarr KI(aq) + H_2O(l)#

Explanation:

And the net ionic equation is rather simpler:

#H_3O^+ + HO^(-) rarr 2H_2O(l)#

But what do we mean by #HI(aq)#? The #(aq)# designation means the socalled #"aquated ion"#. In water, hydrogen iodide speciates to #H_3O^+# and #I^-#. So-called hydronium ion, #H_3O^+#, as far as anyone knows, is a cluster of water molecules, with an EXTRA proton, #H_9O_4^+# or #H_11O_5^+# or something similar.

This water cluster not only holds for the hydronium ion, but potassium ion, #K^(+)(aq)#, is probably #[K(OH_2)_6]^+#, or #Cl(aq)^-# #[Cl(H_2O)_(4-6)]^-#.