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What is the formula for the hydronium ion?

A. [tex]NH _4^{+}[/tex]
B. [tex]OH ^{-}[/tex]
C. [tex]H _2 O[/tex]
D. [tex]H _3 O ^{+}[/tex]


Sagot :

The hydronium ion is a key species in many acid-base reactions and is essential for the characterization of acidic solutions in chemistry. Let's go through the given answer choices to identify the correct formula for the hydronium ion:

1. [tex]$NH_4^+$[/tex]: This is the ammonium ion, which forms from the protonation of ammonia ([tex]$NH_3$[/tex]). It does not represent the hydronium ion.

2. [tex]$OH^-$[/tex]: This is the hydroxide ion, commonly associated with basic or alkaline solutions. It is not the hydronium ion.

3. [tex]$H_2O$[/tex]: This is water, a neutral molecule that can act as both an acid and a base in various reactions. However, it is not the hydronium ion either.

4. [tex]$H_3O^+$[/tex]: This is indeed the formula for the hydronium ion. It forms when a water molecule ([tex]$H_2O$[/tex]) gains an additional hydrogen ion ([tex]$H^+$[/tex]), resulting in the [tex]$H_3O^+$[/tex] species. This ion is prevalent in acidic solutions and plays a crucial role in the definition and measurement of pH.

Therefore, the correct formula for the hydronium ion is [tex]$H_3O^+$[/tex]. Hence, the correct choice is:

[tex]$H_3O^+$[/tex]
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