Ionic Equilibrium
An equilibrium involving ions in solution, such as the dissociation of weak electrolytes or the dissolution of sparingly soluble salts.
Unit
mol/L
In depth
Ionic equilibria govern pH, buffering, solubility, complex formation and precipitation. Because ions interact electrostatically over long distances, activities differ appreciably from concentrations in all but very dilute solutions, so accurate work requires activity corrections.
Examples in the real world
The dissociation of ethanoic acid, the self-ionisation of water, and the dissolution of silver chloride.