Question

If water is a bad conductor of electricity, then how is self ionisation of water explained?

Answer 1

Dear Student,

Ionisation of water also be known as self-ionization of water or autoionization of water, in this process water molecule (H₂O) deprotonates and (loses a proton H+ molecule ) and forms a negatively charged ion (anion) which is OH-, an hydroxide ion. Proton thus formed from the water molecule immediately protonates another water molecule and forms Hydronium ion (H3O+),

H₂O(l) + H₂O (l) ----> H₃O+ (aq) + OH-(aq)