Which property defines an amphoteric substance in acid-base chemistry?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. It can act as both a Brønsted-Lowry acid (proton donor) and a Brønsted-Lowry base (proton acceptor)
An amphoteric (or amphiprotic) substance can behave either as an acid or as a base depending on reaction conditions. For example, water (H2O), the hydrogen carbonate ion (HCO3-), and amino acids can donate a proton (acting as an acid) or accept a proton (acting as a base).
Practise more Acid-Base Equilibria, Electrochemistry, and Metabolic Integration.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed Toelatingsexamen Arts & Tandarts België (Medical & Dental Entrance Exam) mock tests.
More Acid-Base Equilibria, Electrochemistry, and Metabolic Integration questions
- What is the conjugate base of the dihydrogen phosphate anion (H2PO4-) according to the Brønsted-Lowry definition?
- The autoionization of water, 2 H2O(l) <=> H3O+(aq) + OH-(aq), is an endothermic process (ΔH > 0). How does heating pure water from 25 °C to…
- Which acid has the greatest acid strength: Acid A with pKa = 1.8, or Acid B with pKa = 4.7?
- According to the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, what is the pH of a buffer solution prepared by mixing 0.10 M acetic acid (CH3COOH, pKa = 4…
- Under what condition does an aqueous buffer system exhibit its maximum buffer capacity against added acid or base?
- In the physiological bicarbonate blood buffer system (CO2 + H2O <=> H2CO3 <=> H+ + HCO3-), how does the body immediately compensate for acut…