2007-11-08 05:49:48 · 13 answers · asked by C S 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
I'd guess because of only 1 oxygen molecule
2007-11-08 05:54:59 · answer #1 · answered by Phurface 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
This is down to the rather strange nature of hydrogen. Although it is (obviously) a gas, the unique electronic exterior of its atoms (i.e. one electron in a shell fit for two) it can actually be placed with at the top of the list of either the alkali metals or the halogens in the periodic table.
Generally speaking, water may thus also be seen as hydrogen hydroxide rather than merely dihydrogen monoxide - with a single hydrogen atom displaying the characteristics of a metallic atom.
Since water can thus be seen (chemically) in two cotrasting ways, i.e. a non-metallic oxide (acidic) and a metallic hydroxide (alkaline), these effects actually achieve a balance and cancel each other out. It is for this reason that water is neutral.
In any case, neutral is a somewhat relative term - and it must be remembered that water does indeed exhibit both acidic & alkaline qualities.
2007-11-10 07:47:09 · answer #2 · answered by general_ego 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When water molecules dissociate to form H+ and OH- ions you get one of each from each water molecule so they cancel each other out. All other non-metal oxides react with the water causing the formation of a higher concentration of H+ ions than OH- ions (yes there are still some of those too).The ionic product of water at 25 degrees (STP) is 10^-14 mol2 dm-6 this means that the concentration of H+ ions is 10^-7 as is that of the OH- ions this is why the pH is 7 as pH=-log [H+] .
Interestingly this means that as the dissociation of water is endothermic at temperatures over 25 degrees the pH of pure water will be less than 7 as more water molecules will dissociate, however the water will still be neutral and not acidic as there will still be one OH- ion to cancel out every H+ ion.
Not quite on task but good pub quiz trivia anyway!
2007-11-09 15:28:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The OH- balances the H+. Also, neutrality, pH, and pH=7 are all tied to using water as a solvent and a reference. You could invent a whole new chemistry in acetic acid where the neutralization reaction is:
Na+C2H3O2- + HCl ===> Na+Cl- + HC2H3O2
And the HC2H3O2 is "neutral."
2007-11-08 14:01:54 · answer #4 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
any compound which gives H+ ion can be termed as acidic,
all non metal oxide behaves like above, but in water there is one attractive force which prevent H+ to be loosen that is H-bonding,hence water is a neutral compound
2007-11-08 14:31:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water is equally acidic and basic in nature. The pH is related to the concentration of H+ ions in solution.
pH = -log [H+]
where [H+] denotes the concentration of hydrogen ions.
Log x is a function you will find on a scientific calculator the opposite of log being 10^x (where x is a number)
So at neutral the pH is 7 so the concentration of hydrogen ions is 10^-7 mol dm^-3
Water can act as an acid and form H+ ions in the presence of a base. it can also act as a base and form H3O+ ions when an acid is present.
Points of reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydronium
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base_%28chemistry%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logarithm
2007-11-08 14:09:41 · answer #6 · answered by Josh R 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
When the H-OH dissociates to form H+ and OH-, the H+ and OH- are in equal volumes.
The concentration of water in a volume of pure water is 10^-14 (in mol^2dm^-6).
The concentration of OH- times the concentration of H+ is equal to 10^-14.
Therefore the concentration of H+ is square root of 10^-14 which is 10^-7.
pH, which is calculated as -log(10^-7) = 7, which is neutral.
I've left a lot of stuff out here because it needs a lot of background knowledge, if you want to know about it read up on chemical equilibria and equilibrium constants.
2007-11-12 02:48:30 · answer #7 · answered by Helen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because hydrogen has the electronic configuration 1s1.
It is a non-metal so behaves acidically.
However, if it loses its 1s1 electron it is behaving like an alkali metal, making a base. So hydrogen is in a unique position were its oxide is concerned, it behaves both acidically and basically, so it reaches a compromise position . which is neutrality.
2007-11-08 14:15:08 · answer #8 · answered by lenpol7 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Water from outside source can never neutral. The Ph of Swansea South Wales UK tap water is 6.8 to 7.2 which is getting toward acidic. London water is hard and that would be alkaline. Therefore you would have to used distilled water for water to be neutral,
2007-11-08 14:03:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think it is because water is a metal hydroxide HOH some of which which dissociates to give H+ and OH- ions.Lots of ways of thinking about it,the key is to think which you have clearly done.
2007-11-08 14:08:34 · answer #10 · answered by L D 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is an ionic equilibrium in water.
Its the exception to the rule.
2007-11-10 10:12:46 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋