Question

According to the following reaction, which molecule is acting as a base?

1) H₂O
2) H₂SO₄
3) H₃O⁺
4) HSO4-

Answer 1

In the given reaction, H₂O is acting as a base by accepting a proton from H₂SO₄ to form H₃O⁺.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the given reaction, the molecule that is acting as a base is H₂O. A base is a substance that can accept a proton (H⁺) from another substance. In this case, H₂O accepts a proton from H₂SO₄ to form H₃O⁺ (hydronium ion). This is known as a proton transfer reaction, where the base accepts a proton to form a new acid.