The H3O+ ion is considered to be the same as the H+ ion as it is the H+ ion joined to a water molecule. The proton cannot exist in aqueous solution, due to its positive charge it is attracted to the electrons on water molecules and the symbol H3O+ is used to represent this transfer.
Let's put it bluntly. What is the concentration of $\ce {H3O+}$ in a solution with pH=7.00? Try calculating it using your first way. And your second way, too. Where is the truth now?
Why does water dissociate to $\ce {H3O+ + OH-}$ instead of $\ce {H+ + OH-}$? This question came to surface when I was learning about acids and bases, and learned this definition:
Why does water dissociate to H3O+ and OH- rather than H+ and OH-?
Solved Which of the following solutions is basic? [H3O ... - Chegg
I know as a fact that HCl is a stronger acid than H3O+, but I want to know the reason behind it. The definition of an acid is a substance which dissociates to give H3O+ ions. In that case H3O+ shou...
Which is a stronger acid: H3O+ or HCl? - Chemistry Stack Exchange
Science Chemistry Chemistry questions and answers Draw the Lewis structure for H3O+. What is the hybridization on the O atom?