Question detail
Explain why the ionic equation H⁺ + OH⁻ → H₂O is used to describe neutralisation rather than a molecular equation involving the acid and base as whole species.
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Reactions of acids
Question
Explain why the ionic equation H⁺ + OH⁻ → H₂O is used to describe neutralisation rather than a molecular equation involving the acid and base as whole species.
Answer
Because neutralisation involves the transfer of a hydrogen ion from the acid to a hydroxide ion from the base, forming water. The ionic equation shows the actual species that react in aqueous solution, ignoring spectator ions.
Explanation
The answer shows understanding of the concept that ionic equations focus on the reacting ions, which is the key idea behind the learning objective. It tests the ability to explain the reasoning behind using the ionic form.
Common mistake
Common Mistake in Writing Ionic Equations
Students often forget to include the correct charges on the ions when writing the ionic equation for neutralisation.
Always ensure to write the ionic equation with the correct charges, such as H+ for hydrogen ions and OH- for hydroxide ions.
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