Question

For the equilibrium

CH₃NH₃⁺ + H₂O ⇌ CH₃NH₂ + H₂0⁺
the two substances which are both acids are:
a) CH₃NH₃⁺ and H₃0⁺
b) CH₃NH₃⁺ and H₂O⁺
c) H₂0 and H₃0⁺
d) CH₃NH₂ and H₂O
e) CH₃NH₃ and CH₃NH₂

Answer 1

The question discusses chemical equilibrium, focusing on the reaction of acetic acid with water and ammonia with water, where acetic acid, water, and ammonia act as weak acids or bases in their respective equilibria.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is inquiring about chemical equilibrium, specifically related to the reaction between acetic acid (CH3COOH) and water (H2O) producing acetate ions (CH3COO−) and hydronium ions (H3O+). In equilibrium, acetic acid reacts with water to form the conjugate base, acetate and the conjugate acid, hydronium ion.

The equilibrium favors the formation of the reactants, acetic acid and water, due to the fact that the hydronium ion is a stronger acid than acetic acid and acetate is a stronger base than water. This is also applicable to the reaction involving ammonia (NH3) and water, where ammonia accepts a proton from water, forming ammonium (NH4+) and hydroxide ions (OH−) and establishing equilibrium.