QuestionFebruary 20, 2026

Get It? Explain how the ion HCO_(3)^- can be both an acid and a base. Describe what happens in the forward and reverse reactions when ammonia is dissolved in water. Identify the conjugate acid, the conjugate base, and the two conjugate acid-base pairs.

Get It? Explain how the ion HCO_(3)^- can be both an acid and a base. Describe what happens in the forward and reverse reactions when ammonia is dissolved in water. Identify the conjugate acid, the conjugate base, and the two conjugate acid-base pairs.
Get It? Explain how the ion HCO_(3)^- can be both an acid and a base. Describe what happens in the forward and reverse reactions when ammonia is dissolved in water. Identify the conjugate acid, the conjugate base, and the two conjugate acid-base pairs.

Solution
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Answer

HCO_3^- is amphoteric: it acts as an acid donating H^+ to form CO_3^{2-} or as a base accepting H^+ to form H_2CO_3. For ammonia in water: Forward: NH_3 + H_2O \rightarrow NH_4^+ + OH^-. Reverse: NH_4^+ + OH^- \rightarrow NH_3 + H_2O. Conjugate acid-base pairs: (NH_3, NH_4^+) and (H_2O, OH^-). Explanation 1. Explain amphoteric behavior of HCO_3^- HCO_3^- can donate a proton: HCO_3^- \rightarrow CO_3^{2-} + H^+ (acts as an acid). HCO_3^- can accept a proton: HCO_3^- + H^+ \rightarrow H_2CO_3 (acts as a base). 2. Forward reaction of ammonia in water NH_3 + H_2O \rightleftharpoons NH_4^+ + OH^- — ammonia accepts a proton, forming its conjugate acid NH_4^+; water donates a proton, forming OH^-. 3. Reverse reaction of ammonia in water NH_4^+ + OH^- \rightarrow NH_3 + H_2O — NH_4^+ donates a proton (acid), OH^- accepts a proton (base). 4. Identify conjugate pairs Conjugate acid of NH_3: NH_4^+. Conjugate base of H_2O: OH^-. Pairs: (NH_3, NH_4^+) and (H_2O, OH^-).

Explanation

1. Explain amphoteric behavior of $HCO_3^-$ <br /> $HCO_3^-$ can donate a proton: $HCO_3^- \rightarrow CO_3^{2-} + H^+$ (acts as an acid). <br /> $HCO_3^-$ can accept a proton: $HCO_3^- + H^+ \rightarrow H_2CO_3$ (acts as a base). <br /><br />2. Forward reaction of ammonia in water <br /> $NH_3 + H_2O \rightleftharpoons NH_4^+ + OH^-$ — ammonia accepts a proton, forming its conjugate acid $NH_4^+$; water donates a proton, forming $OH^-$. <br /><br />3. Reverse reaction of ammonia in water <br /> $NH_4^+ + OH^- \rightarrow NH_3 + H_2O$ — $NH_4^+$ donates a proton (acid), $OH^-$ accepts a proton (base). <br /><br />4. Identify conjugate pairs <br /> Conjugate acid of $NH_3$: $NH_4^+$. <br /> Conjugate base of $H_2O$: $OH^-$. <br /> Pairs: ($NH_3$, $NH_4^+$) and ($H_2O$, $OH^-$).
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