Describe how water behaves both as an acid or a base.

Solution

H₂O can donate a proton (acting as acid) and accept a proton (acting as a base).
(i) Water acting as an acid.

stack straight H subscript 2 straight O with acid below space plus space stack NH subscript 3 with base below space space space rightwards harpoon over leftwards harpoon space space space space space NH subscript 4 superscript plus space plus space OH to the power of minus stack straight H subscript 2 straight O with acid below space plus space stack CO subscript 3 superscript 2 minus end superscript with base below space space space space leftwards harpoon over rightwards harpoon space space space space HCO subscript 3 superscript minus space plus space OH to the power of minus

(ii) Water acting as a base

stack space space straight H subscript 2 straight O with a c i d below space plus space stack CH subscript 3 COOH with base below space space space leftwards harpoon over rightwards harpoon space space straight H subscript 3 straight O to the power of plus space plus space CH subscript 3 COO to the power of minus space space stack straight H subscript 2 straight O with base below space plus space HCl with acid below space space space leftwards harpoon over rightwards harpoon space space space space straight H subscript 3 straight O to the power of plus space space plus space Cl to the power of minus

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