What is meant by the term amphoteric?

Answer 1

Amphoteric(ity): simply refers to having the characteristics of both acid and base.

A substance is amphoteric when it shows reactions that are characteristic of both acids and bases

Answer 2

I haven't looked if everyone else went to www.dictionary.com but here you go:


6 results for: amphoteric
View results from: Dictionary | Thesaurus | Encyclopedia | the Web

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1) - Cite This Source
am‧pho‧ter‧ic  /ˌæmfəˈtɛrɪk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[am-fuh-ter-ik] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–adjective Chemistry capable of functioning either as an acid or as a base.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Origin: 1840–50; < Gk amphóter(os) (comp. of ámphō both; c. L ambō) + -ic]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.


American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source am·pho·ter·ic (mf-trk) Pronunciation Key
adj.
Having the characteristics of an acid and a base and capable of reacting chemically either as an acid or a base.


[From Greek amphoteros, each of two, from amph, both.]

(Download Now or Buy the Book) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Answer 3

amphoteric
One entry found for amphoteric.


Main Entry: am·pho·ter·ic
Pronunciation: "am(p)-f&-'ter-ik
Function: adjective
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek amphoteros each of two, from amphO both -- more at AMBI-
: partly one and partly the other; specifically : capable of reacting chemically either as an acid or as a base

Answer 4

It refers to a substance that can react as either an acid or a base