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Which compounds are acting like Brønsted-Lowry acids in the following acid-base equilibrium?

HCO3− + H2O H2CO3 and OH−

User BuLB JoBs
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2 Answers

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HCO₃⁻ + H₂O ----> CO₃²⁻ + H₃O⁺
H₂O + H₂O ----> H₃O⁺ + OH⁻
H₂CO₃ + H₂O ----> HCO₃⁻ + H₃O⁺

:)
User Sahil Bansal
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Answer:

The compounds HCO⁻ and OH⁻ are acting like a Brønsted-Lowry base and the compounds H₂C0 H₂0 are acting like a Brønsted-Lowry acid.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the Brønsted-Lowry theory an acid is any species capable of donating a proton (H⁺) and a base is any species capable of accepting a proton (H⁺)

The conjugate base of a Brønsted-Lowry acid is the species that is formed after the acid donates its proton and the conjugate acid of Brønsted-Lowry base is the species that is formed after the base accepts a proton.

For example:

H₂SO₄ + OH⁻ ⇆ HSO₄⁻ + H₂O

In this equilibrium H₂SO₄ is acting like a Brønsted-Lowry acid and HSO₄⁻ is its conjugate base. Also OH⁻ is acting like a Brønsted-Lowry base and H₂O is its conjugate acid

So, HCOis acting like a Brønsted-Lowry base and H₂C0 is its conjugate acid. Also H₂O is acting like a Brønsted-Lowry acid and OH⁻ is its conjugate base.

User James Netherton
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