Question

In the reaction shown below, ____________ acts as a base because ___________. HCO3- + H2O à H3O+ + CO32-

Answer 1

Answer: In the reaction
`HCO^(-)_(3) + H_(2)O \rightarrow H_(3)O^(+) + CO^(2-)_(3)`,
`H_(2)O` acts as a base because it has accepted a hydrogen ion or proton.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Arrhenius, species which dissociate to give hydrogen ions when dissolved in a solvent like water are called acid.

A species which readily accepts a hydrogen ion or proton is called a base.

For example,
`HCO^(-)_(3) + H_(2)O \rightarrow H_(3)O^(+) + CO^(2-)_(3)`

Here,
`HCO^(-)_(3)` is donating hydrogen ion. So, it is an acid whereas
`H_(2)O` is accepting the hydrogen ion. Hence,
`H_(2)O` is a base.

Thus, we can conclude that in the reaction
`HCO^(-)_(3) + H_(2)O \rightarrow H_(3)O^(+) + CO^(2-)_(3)`,
`H_(2)O` acts as a base because it has accepted a hydrogen ion or proton.