The bicarbonate ion is amphiprotic

CHEMISTRY · Single correct · A Level · Chemistry · Acids and bases · Acids and bases

Problem

The bicarbonate ion HCO3−\mathrm{HCO_3^-} is amphiprotic. When it acts as an acid in water, which of the following equations correctly represents the reaction? (a) HCO3−(aq)+H2O(l)⇌H2CO3(aq)+OH−(aq)\mathrm{HCO_3^-(aq) + H_2O(l) \rightleftharpoons H_2CO_3(aq) + OH^-(aq)} (b) HCO3−(aq)+OH−(aq)⇌CO32−(aq)+H2O(l)\mathrm{HCO_3^-(aq) + OH^-(aq) \rightleftharpoons CO_3^{2-}(aq) + H_2O(l)} (c) HCO3−(aq)+H2O(l)⇌CO32−(aq)+H3O+(aq)\mathrm{HCO_3^-(aq) + H_2O(l) \rightleftharpoons CO_3^{2-}(aq) + H_3O^+(aq)} (d) HCO3−(aq)⇌CO32−(aq)+H+(aq)\mathrm{HCO_3^-(aq) \rightleftharpoons CO_3^{2-}(aq) + H^+(aq)}

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