In water and other aqueous solutions , this reaction is constantly recurring over and over. This reaction is called the self-ionization of water and it works because water is amphoteric, which means that water acts as both and acid and a base. read more
During the reaction, electrons are exchanged to form one positively and one negatively charged electron. In water, this reaction is constantly occurring in small numbers in both directions, as the hydronium ion and the hydroxide ion can react to form two water molecules. read more