Question

what happens to an acid or a base in water solution

Answer 1

When an Acid is dissolved in water, it breaks to form H+ ions where as when base is dissolved in water, it breaks to form OH- ions i.e Hydroxide ions

Answer 2

Water acts as an acid (donates H+) when it reacts with a stronger base, say sodium hydroxide. Water acts as a base (accepts H+) when it reacts with a stronger acid, say hydrochloric acid. If the medium is water, water, having a pH of 7, is considered neutral. ... (Pure) Water is amphoteric, meaning it can act as both.
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