Solvated proton

A solvated proton is essentially a hydrogen ion (H⁺) that has become surrounded by water molecules. In water, H⁺ does not exist freely; instead, it interacts with water, forming a structure called the hydronium ion (H₃O⁺). This process occurs because the positively charged proton attracts the partial negative charges of water molecules, causing them to cluster around it. This hydronium ion is crucial in understanding acids and bases in chemistry, as it represents how protons behave in aqueous solutions, influencing reactions and the pH of substances.