why is water an amphoteric molecule
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Amphoteric molecule is one that can act as either acid or base in a chemical reaction.
The amphoteric nature of water molecule can be defined using Bronsted _Lowry Acid Base theory.
According to this theory " An Acid is a Proton Donor " and "a Base is a Proton acceptor "
Water molecule is capable of donating one of ts protons [H+] to a neighboring water molecule and forms Hydronium ion and hydroxide ions.
Chemical Equation:H2O +H2O ⇄ H3O⁺ + OH⁻
The water molecule which donates a proton can be considered as Bronsted -Lowry Acid and susbstances which accepts the protons is called as Bronsted-Lowry base
.
Examples :
1.NH3(aq) + H2O(l) ⇄NH4⁺ (aq) +OH⁻(aq)
Here water acts as an acid because it donates proton to NH3
2.HCl(aq) + H2O(l) ⇄H3O⁺(aq) +Cl⁻(aq)
Here water acts as an base because it accepts the proton from HCl.
The amphoteric nature of water molecule can be defined using Bronsted _Lowry Acid Base theory.
According to this theory " An Acid is a Proton Donor " and "a Base is a Proton acceptor "
Water molecule is capable of donating one of ts protons [H+] to a neighboring water molecule and forms Hydronium ion and hydroxide ions.
Chemical Equation:H2O +H2O ⇄ H3O⁺ + OH⁻
The water molecule which donates a proton can be considered as Bronsted -Lowry Acid and susbstances which accepts the protons is called as Bronsted-Lowry base
.
Examples :
1.NH3(aq) + H2O(l) ⇄NH4⁺ (aq) +OH⁻(aq)
Here water acts as an acid because it donates proton to NH3
2.HCl(aq) + H2O(l) ⇄H3O⁺(aq) +Cl⁻(aq)
Here water acts as an base because it accepts the proton from HCl.
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