Question

Question #e93ed

Answer 1

It is a base in contact with water, but it can act as both an acid and a base.

Explanation:

When you put bicarbonate `(HCO_3^-)` into water, it forms a basic solution.

However, bicarbonate can act both as an acid and a base.

Take a look at these two reactions for example.

`HCO_3^-)+OH^-+rightleftharpoonsCO_3^(2-)+H_2O`

`HCO_3^-)+H_3O^+rightleftharpoonsH_2CO_3+H_2O`

In the first reaction, bicarbonate acts an acid by donating a proton `(H^+)` and becoming the carbonate anion `CO_3^(2-)`.

In the second reaction, bicarbonate acts as a base by accepting a proton to become carbonic acid `(H_2CO_3)`.

Source:
https://socratic.org/questions/hco3-ion-amphorteric-nature