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14.1: Introduction

Chemistry 2e (OpenStax) · LibreTexts

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    Liquid water is essential to life on our planet, and chemistry involving the characteristic ions of water, \(\ce{H^{+}}\) and \(\ce{OH^{–}}\), is widely encountered in nature and society. As introduced in another chapter of this text, acid-base chemistry involves the transfer of hydrogen ions from donors (acids) to acceptors (bases). These \(\ce{H^{+}}\) transfer reactions are reversible, and the equilibria established by acid-base systems are essential aspects of phenomena ranging from sinkhole formation (Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)) to oxygen transport in the human body. This chapter will further explore acid-base chemistry with an emphasis on the equilibrium aspects of this important reaction class.

    A photograph is shown of a pond formed in a sinkhole. Layers of limestone with trees and shrubs surround the murky green water of the pond.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Sinkholes such as this are the result of reactions between acidic groundwaters and basic rock formations, like limestone. (credit: modification of work by Emil Kehnel)

    14.1: Introduction is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.