Question

Justify the statement that water behaves like an acid and also like a base on the basis of protonic concept.

Answer 1

Water ionizes as H₂O + H₂O ⇌H₃O⁺ +OH^-

With strong acid water behaves as a base and accept the proton given by the acid

e.g. HCl + H₂O ⇌Cl^- + H₃O⁺

While with strong base, water behaves as an acid by liberating a proton e.g :

H₂O + NH₃ ⇌NH₄⁺ + OH^-.