Qualitatively,what happens to the hydroxide ion concentration if you decrease the hydronium ion concentration? A)The concentration of OH^- stays the same but the ratio OH^-/H₃O⁺ changes. B)The concentration of OH^- increases but the ratio stays the same. C)The concentration of OH^- increases. D)none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

By decreasing the hydronium ion concentration, the equilibrium shifts to the left in the following reaction: H3O+ + OH- ↔ 2H2O. This means that more hydroxide ions (OH-) will form, causing an increase in their concentration. This increase is not balanced by a decrease in the concentration of hydroxide ions, as suggested in option A. Option B is incorrect because the concentration of hydroxide ions cannot increase while the ratio stays the same, as it would mean that the concentration of hydronium ions also increases. Therefore, option C is the best choice as it accurately describes the situation.

Qualitatively,what Happens to the Hydroxide Ion Concentration If You Decrease