Dissociation of Water

Definition

The dissociation of water refers to the breaking down of H2O molecules into ions - specifically, one hydrogen ion (H+) and one hydroxide ion (OH-).

Analogy

Imagine a pair figure skating team where one partner represents H+ and the other OH-. During their routine, they may separate or "dissociate" to perform solo moves before coming back together again.

Related terms

pH Scale: A measure of acidity or alkalinity based on the concentration of hydrogen ions. It's like a rating scale for how sour (acidic) or bitter (basic) something is.

Hydrogen Ion (H+): A positively charged atom of hydrogen; in other words, a hydrogen atom missing its electron. It's like someone who has lost their wallet and now has no money (electrons).

Hydroxide Ion (OH-): A negatively charged molecule made up of oxygen bonded to hydrogen. It’s like someone who found an extra dollar bill – they have more than what they started with!