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In the reaction shown below, ____________ acts as a base because ___________. HCO3- + H2O à H3O+ + CO32-

Sagot :

Answer: In the reaction [tex]HCO^{-}_{3} + H_{2}O \rightarrow H_{3}O^{+} + CO^{2-}_{3}[/tex], [tex]H_{2}O[/tex] acts as a base because it has accepted a hydrogen ion or proton.

Explanation:

According to Arrhenius, species which dissociate to give hydrogen ions when dissolved in a solvent like water are called acid.

A species which readily accepts a hydrogen ion or proton is called a base.

For example, [tex]HCO^{-}_{3} + H_{2}O \rightarrow H_{3}O^{+} + CO^{2-}_{3}[/tex]

Here, [tex]HCO^{-}_{3}[/tex] is donating hydrogen ion. So, it is an acid whereas [tex]H_{2}O[/tex] is accepting the hydrogen ion. Hence, [tex]H_{2}O[/tex] is a base.

Thus, we can conclude that in the reaction [tex]HCO^{-}_{3} + H_{2}O \rightarrow H_{3}O^{+} + CO^{2-}_{3}[/tex], [tex]H_{2}O[/tex] acts as a base because it has accepted a hydrogen ion or proton.