Question

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

Answer 1

`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)]^-`.