Question

How many equivalents of hydroxide ion are needed to react with 1.53 equivalents of hydrogen ion? How did you know this when no balanced chemical equation was provided for the reaction?

Short answer

1.53 equivalents of hydroxide ions are needed to react with the 1.53 equivalents of hydrogen ions. This is based on the concept of neutralization, where the number of equivalents of acid (hydrogen ions) must be equal to the number of equivalents of base (hydroxide ions) for the reaction to be complete. The balanced chemical equation is not needed because the reaction between hydrogen and hydroxide ions to form water is itself a balanced equation, and the relationship between acid and base equivalents is a fundamental concept of acid-base reactions.

Step-by-step solution

Recall the concept of equivalents and neutralization

Equivalents is a measure of the reactive capacity of a substance, typically in the context of acid-base reactions. In the case of hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-), they can react to form water (H2O) in an acid-base neutralization reaction. The reaction can be represented as: \[ H^+ + OH^- \rightarrow H_2O \] In a neutralization reaction, the number of equivalents of acid must be equal to the number of equivalents of base for the reaction to go to completion.

Identify the given data

In this problem, we are given the amount of equivalents of hydrogen ions: 1.53 equivalents.

Determine the number of equivalents of hydroxide ions needed

Based on our understanding of neutralization reactions, the number of equivalents of hydroxide ions needed to react completely with the given amount of equivalents of hydrogen ions should be equal. Therefore, we also need 1.53 equivalents of hydroxide ions.

Explain why no balanced chemical equation was needed

Our answer relied on the fundamental concept of acid-base neutralization reactions, which states that the number of equivalents of acid should be equal to the number of equivalents of base in order for the reaction to be complete. Since we were dealing with hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions, which are the most basic (or simplest) form of acidic and basic species, we did not need a specific balanced chemical equation to determine the number of equivalents of hydroxide ions needed. Additionally, given that the reaction between hydrogen and hydroxide ions to form water is by itself a balanced equation, this is the only reaction we need to consider. So, the number of equivalents of hydroxide ion needed is 1.53 equivalents to react completely with 1.53 equivalents of hydrogen ion, and we reached this conclusion without needing a specific balanced chemical equation.