New point of view on the meaning and on the values of Ka○(H3O+, H2O) and Kb○(H2O, OH–) pairs in water
Abstract
An argument which leads to the conclusion that Ka○(H3O+, H2O) and Kb○(H2O, OH–) in water are artificial concepts is given. This results from the fact that their definitions involve no actual thermodynamic process. On the other hand, Kb○(H3O+, H2O) and Ka○(H2O, OH–) are related to actual thermodynamic processes and are therefore meaningful concepts.