Neutralisation ionic equation help please?

How come the H^+H+ is not balanced in the ionic equation of neutralisation, H^+ +OH^- = H_2H++OH=H2

2 Answers
May 18, 2018

Because the equation does not represent reality....

Explanation:

We should have....

H^+ + HO^(-)rarr H_2O(l)H++HOH2O(l)

...equivalently....

H_3O^+ +HO^(-)rarr2H_2O(l)H3O++HO2H2O(l)

The hydride ion, H^-H, does not exist in aqueous solution....and addition of hydride salts (which do exist) to water would give dihydrogen gas...

H^(-) + H_2O(l) rarr 1/2H_2(g) + HO^-H+H2O(l)12H2(g)+HO

May 19, 2018

The answer is that "H"^"+"H+ does not have to be balanced.

Explanation:

I believe you meant to write the equation

"H"^"+" + "OH"^"-" → "H"_2"O"H++OH-H2O

When balancing equations, we do not balance "H"^"+"H+.

We balance "H"H atoms, and then we balance charge.

Your equation has two "H"H atoms on the left and two on the right, so "H"H atoms are balanced.

Your equation has "+1 - 1 = 0"+1 - 1 = 0 charge on the left and zero charge on the right, so charge is balanced.