Hydrogen Cations: The Wandering Protons of Chemistry

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on hydrogen cations, specifically the behavior of hydrogen atoms that lack neutrons and have donated their electrons, effectively becoming protons. It is established that these protons, while often referred to as H+, do not exist in isolation but are typically associated with other molecules, such as water, forming hydronium ions (H3O+). The rapid transfer of H+ ions between acids and water is highlighted as one of the fastest chemical reactions, emphasizing the dynamic nature of these wandering protons in various states, including hot gases and plasmas.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic atomic structure, specifically protons and electrons.
  • Familiarity with acid-base chemistry and the concept of cations.
  • Knowledge of hydronium ions (H3O+) and their role in aqueous solutions.
  • Awareness of chemical reaction rates and their significance in chemistry.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and behavior of hydrogen cations in various states of matter.
  • Study the mechanisms of acid-base reactions and the role of H+ ions.
  • Explore the concept of hydronium ions (H3O+) and their implications in chemistry.
  • Investigate the kinetics of fast chemical reactions involving proton transfer.
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and researchers interested in the behavior of hydrogen ions, acid-base chemistry, and reaction kinetics will benefit from this discussion.

jduster
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Let's say there a particular hydrogen atom would be a rare-occurring hydrogen atom without a nuetron. And let's say it's a cation that donated it's electron. Would it essentially be just a wandering proton?
 
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Most hydrogen nuclei do not have a neutron - those with one or even two neutrons are rare (~0.01%).
That is just a single proton, right.
 
Yes, a hydrogen atom that has lost its electron is a proton. Can exist in hot excited gases, plasmas, particle beams etc. But the protons we talk of in ordinary chemistry and represent H+ are really never alone, are always attached to something else, e.g. water and so the 'H+' which you will see in texts is a convention for something more realistically represented as H3O+. However, yes they are great wanderers - to transfer of H+ from acids to water and back are the fastest chemical reactions known.
 

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