Answer:
H⁺(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇄ H₃O⁺(aq)
Explanation:
According to Brönsted-Lowry acid-base theory, an acid is a substance that donates H⁺. Let's consider the molecular equation showing that benzoic acid is a Brönsted-Lowry acid.
C₆H₅COOH(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇄ C₆H₅COO⁻(aq) + H₃O⁺(aq)
The complete ionic equation includes all the ions and molecular species.
C₆H₅COO⁻(aq) + H⁺(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇄ C₆H₅COO⁻(aq) + H₃O⁺(aq)
The net ionic equation includes only the ions that participate in the reaction and the molecular species.
H⁺(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇄ H₃O⁺(aq)
