Question

Why Hydrogen ions cannot exist alone?

Answer 1

Hydrogen ions:

• A proton or a hydrogen ion is a particle with a unit positive electric charge that makes up the hydrogen nucleus.
• As a result, the isolated hydrogen ion is denoted by the symbol ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$.

Reason for hydrogen ions cannot exist alone:

• When an electron loses a hydrogen atom, the nucleus (${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$) shrinks to $1.5\mathrm{x}{10}^{-3}\mathrm{pm}$in size, which is extremely small in comparison to typical atomic or ionic sizes.
• As a result, ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ ions are no longer free to exist.
• Ions with the same charge repel each other, while ions with opposite charges attract each other.
• As a result, ions normally do not exist on their own, but they can join with ions of opposite charge to form a crystal lattice.
• The resulting complex is known as an ionic compound, and it is said to be held together by ionic bonding.