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Exercises · 9.24

Q.Write chemical reactions to show the amphoteric nature of water.

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An amphoteric substance can behave as both a Brønsted acid (proton donor) and a Brønsted base (proton acceptor), depending on the species it is reacting with.

Water acting as an acid (donating a proton) — when reacting with a stronger base such as ammonia:

H2O(l)+NH3(aq)⇌NH4+(aq)+OH−(aq)H_2O(l) + NH_3(aq) \rightleftharpoons NH_4^+(aq) + OH^-(aq)

Here water donates a proton to NH3, itself becoming OH⁻.

Water acting as a base (accepting a proton) — when reacting with a stronger acid such as hydrogen sulphide:

H2O(l)+H2S(aq)⇌H3O+(aq)+HS−(aq)H_2O(l) + H_2S(aq) \rightleftharpoons H_3O^+(aq) + HS^-(aq)

Here water accepts a proton from H2S, itself becoming H3O⁺. …

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