Write chemical equations that show how the hydrogen carbonate ion, HCO \(_{3}^{-}\) acts as an amphoteric ion.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Hydrogen carbonate ion (HCO3-) acts as an amphoteric ion, meaning it can act both as an acid and a base. As a base, it reacts with an acid (like HCl) to form CO3^2-: HCO3- (aq) + HCl (aq) -> H2O (l) + CO3^2- (aq). As an acid, it reacts with a base (like water) to form H2CO3: HCO3- (aq) + H2O (l) -> H2CO3 (aq) + OH- (aq).

Step by step solution

01

Reaction as a base

To show how the hydrogen carbonate ion (HCO3-) reacts as a base, it must accept a proton (H+) from an acid, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl). During this process, it forms water (H2O) and the carbonate ion (CO3^2-). The equation is: HCO3- (aq) + HCl (aq) -> H2O (l) + CO3^2- (aq) In this reaction, the HCO3- ion acts as a base because it accepts a proton from the hydrochloric acid.
02

Reaction as an acid

To show how the hydrogen carbonate ion (HCO3-) acts as an acid, it must donate a proton (H+) to a base such as water (H2O). In this process, it forms the bicarbonate ion (H2CO3) and hydroxide ion (OH-). The equation is: HCO3- (aq) + H2O (l) -> H2CO3 (aq) + OH- (aq) The reaction is showing how HCO3- ion acts as an acid as it donates a proton to water.

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