New point of view on the meaning and on the values of K(a)°(H3O+, H2O) and K(b)°(H2O, OH-) pairs in water

Abstract

An argument which leads to the conclusion that K(a)°(H3O+, H2O) and K(b)°(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, K(b)°(H3O+, H2O) and K(a)°(H2O, OH-) are related to actual thermodynamic processes and are therefore meaningful concepts.