Inverse Relationship Clarification

[Olivia D 3B]

In lecture, Dr. Lavelle stated that there is an inverse relationship between the hydronium ion and hydroxide ion concentration. Could someone provide a conceptual explanation as to what this means?

Thank you!

[Ashley M 2E]

Inverse relationship just means that as one thing increases, the other decreases. So in this case, if the concentration of hydronium ions increased, then the concentration of hydroxide ions would decrease, and vice versa.

[Alex Yeghikian 1C]

The ion product constant for water at 25C is given by [OH^-]*[H3O⁺] = 1.0x10^-14. This shows the relationship between hydroxide concentration and hydronium concentration; as one goes up, the other goes down (they are inversely proportional).

[Joana Fang 1K]

Hi, others answered your question, but to better understand a relationship that is inversely proportional, it might be helpful to know that relationships that are directly proportional. When two things are directly proportional, when one increases, so does the other. And when one decreases, so does the other.

[Sean Sanders 1E]

As the hydronium ion concentration increases, the hydroxide concentration decreases and vice versa. This is because there is less of one ion relative to another which decreases the concentration of one and increases the concentration of the other.

[Desiree Eshraghi 3A]

Another inverse relationship you should be familiar with is between period and frequency.