Bicarbonate ion is an example of a:
a. an acid
b. a base
c. an acidic salt
d. a basic salt
e. an amphoteric substance
Answer (3)
It is both. We normally think of it as a base because it raises the pH of water by accepting a proton,
HCO3- + H2O <-----> H2CO3 + OH-
but if you add bicarbonate to a strongly basic solution, it actually lowers the pH by donating a proton.
HCO3- + OH- <------> CO3(2-) + H2O. That's why it is an amphoteric substance
The bicarbonate ion is an amphoteric substance because it can act as both an acid and a base, able to either accept or donate a proton. So the correct answer is e. ;
The bicarbonate ion is an amphoteric substance, meaning it can act both as an acid and as a base depending on the situation. It can accept a proton when reacting with acids or donate a proton in the presence of strong bases. Therefore, the correct answer is (e) an amphoteric substance.
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