Question
What do you understand by the term ‘auto-protolysis’ of water? What is its significance?
Solution
Auto-protolysis of water. Auto-protolysis of water means its self-ionisation. Self-ionisation of water can be represented as:
The significance of auto-protolysis. water shows its amphoteric nature due to autoprotolysis i.e. water reacts with both acids and bases.
Water acting as an acid:
Water acting as a base:
The significance of auto-protolysis. water shows its amphoteric nature due to autoprotolysis i.e. water reacts with both acids and bases.
Water acting as an acid:
Water acting as a base:
