Question

Write the ionization of sulphuric acid showing the formation of hydronium ion.

Answer 1

Ionization of sulphuric acid showing the formation of hydronium ion:
H₂SO₄ + H₂O         H₃O⁺ + HSO₄^-
HSO_4^- + H₂O         H₃O⁺ + SO₄^2-

Answer 2

Water is a polar molecule which is represented as

When acid dissolves in water, it interacts strongly with polar molecules, forming a proton [H⁺]. This proton cannot exist independently in an aqueous solution and attaches to a water molecule to create a hydrogen ion.

\[\ce{HCl <=>[H2O] H+ + Cl^1-}\]

\[\ce{H^1+ + H2O <=> \underset{(Hydronium ion)}{[H3O^1+]}}\]

or \[\begin{bmatrix}\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{H - \overset{\bullet\bullet}{\mathbf{O}} - H}\\
\downarrow\\
\ce{H}\\
\end{array}\end{bmatrix}^+\]

and \[\ce{H2SO4 + 2H2O <=> 2[H3O]+ + [SO4]^2-}\]