Hydronium

[Madison Hurst]

Why is hydronium sometimes referred to as H3O+ and sometimes as H+? What is the difference?

[Christopher Tran 1J]

H3O+ and H+ in an aqueous solution basically mean the same thing, as H+ in water is the hydronium ion. Both are used interchangeably, H+ is just the shorter way.

[kateminden]

H+ in water (an aqueous solution) is the same thing as H3O+, the hydronium ion.

[Andrewwiner4D]

Both essentially the same thing but when working in an aqueous solution, it is easier the refer as H30+ because water is the proton acceptor.

[Aria Soeprono 2F]

H+ is a hydrogen ion by itself, while hydronium is a hydrogen ion bonded to a water molecule. When calculating pH, however, you can use [H+] and [H3O] interchangeably, and still get the right answer.