2006-12-08 12:25:14 · 8 answers · asked by Ozzie 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
It doesnt depend on the pH of water...YOU go read YOUR book. It has to do with what you're reacting it WITH as to whether it'll act as an acid or base.
For example, when water reacts with a weak acid (acetic acid), water acts as a Bronsted-Lowry base by accepting a proton.
2006-12-08 12:29:55 · answer #1 · answered by Bruce 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
H20 or HOH
Acid or base depends on whose theory you are working with.
Traditional theory (Arrhenius)
water is neutral (neither acid nor base) because a "water solution" of water contains equal numbers of H+ and OH-
(called the autoionization of water where HOH = H+ + OH-)
In the Bronsted-Lowry Theory water can act as either an acid or a base (or both in the autoionization reaction).
H20 + HOH = H3O+ + OH-
(here two different water molecules acted differently. The first one accepted a proton {B/L base} and the second water molecule donated a proton {B/L acid}.
In the following reaction water acts as a B/L acid by donating a proton:
NH3 + HOH = NH4+ + OH-
In the following reaction water acts as a B/L base by accepting a proton:
HCl + H2O = Cl- + H3O+
In the Lewis theory water usually acts a Lewis base because of the two unshared electron pairs on the oxygen. In the above reaction with HCl you could also say the H20 donated an electron pair to the H+ and acted as a Lewis acid.
2006-12-09 02:25:14 · answer #2 · answered by The Old Professor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water can act as an acid or a base. The formula is H2O, but it can either accept a proton and become H3O(+) or donate a proton and become OH(-). It depends on the nature of the solute. An acid, like HCl, dissociates to become H(+) +
Cl(-). Since water picks up the proton that HCl loses, this can also be written as H30(+) + Cl(-), and water acts as a base by accepting the proton.
2006-12-08 12:36:19 · answer #3 · answered by laura palmer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HOH
H2O
It can act as either an acid or a base, meaning it is arrhenius, depending on what else is in the substance.
2006-12-08 12:36:51 · answer #4 · answered by sugarhigh410 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't try to pawn off your homework on other people. You can just as easily type your question in a search bar and read the answer there.
http://witcombe.sbc.edu/water/chemistrystructure.html
Just one of many resources.
2006-12-08 12:48:31 · answer #5 · answered by April B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Hydrogen dioxide (or hydrogen ash) and H2O. It acts as neither since it is a neutral material, I think.
2006-12-08 12:28:17 · answer #6 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on the ph of the water. now go read your book
2006-12-08 12:27:12 · answer #7 · answered by prasad g 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am not in school anymore, figure it out yourself
2006-12-08 12:27:22 · answer #8 · answered by Mysterious 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋