- #1
Vpoyid
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In my chemistry class today we learned about equilibrium and how temperature affects the equilibrium constant. An example that was cited was this chemical equation:
H2O <--> H3O+ + OH-
I learned that increasing the heat of the water will drive the equilibrium toward the right side, increasing the concentration of hydronium and hydroxide ions.
I raised my hand in class and asked "is that why hot water tastes bad? you know, because of all the hydronium, perhaps it reacts with the ions in our mouths or something and creates a bad taste in our mouth? maybe?"
I figure it can't be JUST because it's hot. Even water that you've left in your hot car all day tastes like ****, even if you can tolerate the temperature. It's just awful tasting. I know that the ratio of hydronium to hydroxide would remain constant and wouldn't necessarily change the pH of the solution, but its more complicated because of equilibrium yada yada yada, right?
My teacher did not have an answer.
So... yes? no? maybe?
H2O <--> H3O+ + OH-
I learned that increasing the heat of the water will drive the equilibrium toward the right side, increasing the concentration of hydronium and hydroxide ions.
I raised my hand in class and asked "is that why hot water tastes bad? you know, because of all the hydronium, perhaps it reacts with the ions in our mouths or something and creates a bad taste in our mouth? maybe?"
I figure it can't be JUST because it's hot. Even water that you've left in your hot car all day tastes like ****, even if you can tolerate the temperature. It's just awful tasting. I know that the ratio of hydronium to hydroxide would remain constant and wouldn't necessarily change the pH of the solution, but its more complicated because of equilibrium yada yada yada, right?
My teacher did not have an answer.
So... yes? no? maybe?