Question

Which of the species in the forward reaction below is acting as a base?

NH4+ + H2O ⇌ NH3 + H3O+

NH3

H2O

NH4+

H3O+

Answer 1

`H_(2)O`

Step-by-step explanation:

The definition of a Brønsted-Lowry base is that it is a substance that is capable of accepting a H+ ion using one of of its lone pairs to bond to the H+ ion. We can clearly see here that the water molecule accepts the H+ ion from NH4+ and becomes H3O+ and it is for that reason that in the forward reaction, water acts as a base.