Question

If an acid is added to water, the hydronium ion concentration increases, while the hydroxide ion concentration decreases
(a) How is this consistent with LeChatelier’s Principle?
(b) What happens if a base is added to water??

Answer 1

water will dissociate into H+ and OH- ions

H2O (l) <--------------------------> H+ (aq) + OH- (aq)

when H+ is added to water in the product side H+ concentration is increases , if H+ concentration increases the OH- concentration decreases .

the reason is that : ionic product of water is 1.0 x 10^-14 . it is constant at constant temperature

Kw = [H+] [OH-]

if H+ concentration increases OH- concentreation decreases . but Kw value constant

b)

if base is added to water OH- concentration increases and H+ concentration decreases