Why is H3O+ the Strongest Acid & OH- the Strongest Base?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bomba923
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

H3O+ is established as the strongest acid and OH- as the strongest base in aqueous solutions due to their interactions with water. When a stronger acid is introduced, it donates protons to water, forming H3O+. Conversely, strong bases extract protons from water, resulting in the presence of OH-. This proton transfer mechanism is fundamental to understanding acid-base chemistry in water.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of acid-base theory
  • Familiarity with aqueous solutions
  • Knowledge of proton donation and acceptance
  • Basic chemistry concepts related to pH and ionization
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Bronsted-Lowry acid-base theory
  • Explore the concept of pH and its calculation
  • Study the properties of strong acids and bases
  • Investigate the role of water as a solvent in chemical reactions
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and professionals interested in acid-base reactions and aqueous solution chemistry.

bomba923
Messages
759
Reaction score
0
Why is H3O+ the strongest acid and OH- the strongest base that can exist in significant amounts in aqueous solutions?
 
Last edited:
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Because usually in aqueous solutions you have excess of water. If you add some stronger acid it donates its proton(s) to the water particles. Similar reasoning holds for strong bases - they will steal protons from water leaving OH- in the solution.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Something that doesn't make sense to me about calculating the pH
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
Comparing a hydronium with a hydroxide in a weak acid solution (0.1M)
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Is [A-] greater than [H3O+] in a 1M solution of highly acidic HA?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
How does a buffer actually work?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Can you make pure water acidic by adding free protons to it?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
928
Very confused about Naunyn definition of acid and base
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Mnemonic for Lewis acids and bases
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
Understanding the Effect of pH on Benzoic Acid Solubility
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
Can Gold Oxalate Be Synthesized Using Oxalic Acid and Gold (III) Chloride?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Group I/II Metal oxides always basic in aqueous solution -- why?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K