stupid question about amphiprotic substances (1 Viewer)

[swagswagyoloswag]

If HCO3^- is an amphiprotic substance meaning it can act as both acid and a base, won't its pH change at the same concentration? because if it acts as a base then wouldn't its pH be above 7 and if it acts as an acid its pH will be below 7

 

[Librah]

Bases are proton acceptors and acids are proton donors by definition, pH is only determined by the concentration of H3O+.

 

[swagswagyoloswag]

Bases are proton acceptors and acids are proton donors by definition, pH is only determined by the concentration of H3O+.

but I thought only acids will produce H3O+ in a solution

 

[Librah]

but I thought only acids will produce H3O+ in a solution

I think your question boils down to, "what is an acid?" Which i said, something that acted as a proton donor. HCO3- can act as an acid or a base.

 

[Magnoliatient]

Amphiprotic substances can act as an acid or base, but not generally in the same conditions.

for example, when NaHCO3 is dissolved in water, it acts as a base, because HCO3- has a greater tendency to accept protons from water than to donate. Hence, pH >7, and will not change once the reaction reaches equlibrium.

However, if HCO3- is reacted with a base, it will have a greater tendency to donate protons, so it is acting as an acid in this case

 

[helloimyellow]

^ lol this guy

EDIT: woops there was a guy that was spamming notes ad. not meant to belittle someone's answer :/

 

[BlueGas]

^ lol this guy

- Gets an ATAR of 97.25
- Doesn't know where to post

 

[Occupied]

- Gets an ATAR of 97.25
- Doesn't know where to post

freaking annoying too