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How is the concentration of hydronium ions (H 3 O + ) affected when a solution of an acid is diluted?
Answer:
- An acid is diluted by mixing water and acid.
-
Hydronium ions are formed by the combination of H
+
ions from the acid and OH
-
from the water.
- More water means more water molecules surrounded by hydronium ions.
- The hydronium ions will then combine with hydroxyl ions (OH - ) to produce more water thus reducing the concentration of hydronium ions per unit volume of the solution.
- Therefore , mixing an acid with water leads to a decrease in the concentration of Hydronium ions (H 3 O + ).
