What is meant by the hyrdration of the hydrogen ion? Does this mean you add water? Does this mean you create hydronium ions? Are hydronium ions only created when you hydrate a concentrated acid?
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2 yes
3 yes
4 yes
There are other ways to do it but basically, a hydronium ion is a hydrated hydrogen ion and a hydronium ion can be formed by hydrating a concentrated acid if it's the right acid. For example, H2SO4, if you have the 98-99% stuff, easily hydrates. Concentrated HCl, on the other hand, is only about 35% pure, so most of those hydrogen ion are already hydrated. By the way, you do NOT (repeat NOT) want to add a few drops of water to conc H2SO4. It isn't safe. Heat, spattering, boiling, etc. And conc H2SO4 is no fun if it spatters on you or in your eyes. Loss of eye sight, horrible burns, you get the picture.
The hydration of the hydrogen ion refers to the process of a hydrogen ion (H+) being surrounded by water molecules, resulting in the formation of hydronium ions (H3O+). When a hydrogen ion is present in an aqueous solution, it attracts and bonds with one water molecule, creating a hydronium ion.
In water, hydrogen ions do not exist as free entities because of their high reactivity. Instead, they tend to bond with water molecules. The process starts with a water molecule, where the oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electrons that act as electron donors. This lone pair of electrons forms a bond with the hydrogen ion, resulting in a new species called a hydronium ion.
However, it's important to note that the formation of hydronium ions occurs even in dilute acid solutions, not just in concentrated acids. When an acid is dissolved in water, the hydrogen ions from the acid combine with water molecules to form hydronium ions, regardless of the acid concentration.
Therefore, the hydration of the hydrogen ion involves adding water molecules to form hydronium ions, and it occurs in both concentrated and dilute acid solutions.