What are the solute particles present in aqueous solutions of Acetic Acid?

When it's dissolved in water, does it only produce H^+, CH_3COO^- or more?

1 Answer
anor277
Jan 6, 2016

Hydronium ion, #H_3O^+#, acetic acid, and acetate ion.

Explanation:

#H_3C-C(=O)OH + H_2O rightleftharpoons H_3-C(=O)O^(-) + H_3O^+#

#pK_a# #=# #4.76#. The equilibrium would lie strongly to the left. Of course, the acidium or hydronium ion is very much a formalism. As far as anyone knows it is a cluster of water molecules with an extra #H^+# species. #H_3O^+# is our conception of this species.

Related questions
See all questions in Solvation and Dissociation
Impact of this question
8213 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License