Question

Given the balanced equation representing a reaction:

HCl + H2O H3O+ + Cl-
The water molecule acts as a base because it

Answer 1

It accepted a proton from HCl

Step-by-step explanation:

When properly written, the equation box the reaction is given as; HCl(aq) + H2O(l) ----> H3O+(aq) + Cl-(aq).

According to Brownstead-Lowry definition of acids and bases, an acid donates protons while a base accepts protons.

Water molecule acts as a base in the reaction because it accepted a proton from HCl in the reaction above.