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Amphoteric quiz #1

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Terms in this set (10)

  • What is an amphoteric species and can you give examples?
    An amphoteric species is a compound that can act as both an acid and a base. Examples include water (H2O), hydrogen carbonate ion (HCO3-), dihydrogen phosphate ion (H2PO4-), and hydrogen sulfate ion (HSO4-). These species can either donate or accept a proton depending on the reaction.
  • What is an example of an amphoteric metal hydroxide?
    An amphoteric metal hydroxide is a metal hydroxide that can react both as an acid and as a base. Common examples include aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) and zinc hydroxide (Zn(OH)2). These hydroxides can react with acids to form salts and with bases to form complex ions.
  • What does it mean for a species to be amphiprotic?
    An amphiprotic species can both donate and accept a proton, allowing it to act as either an acid or a base in chemical reactions.
  • How does water demonstrate amphoteric behavior in chemical reactions?
    Water can donate a proton to become OH-, acting as an acid, or accept a proton to become H3O+, acting as a base.
  • What is a polyprotic acid and how is it related to amphoteric species?
    A polyprotic acid has more than one hydrogen ion (H+) in its formula, and its partially dissociated conjugate bases can be amphoteric.
  • Give an example of a partially dissociated conjugate base of a polyprotic acid that is amphoteric.
    Hydrogen sulfate ion (HSO4-) is a partially dissociated conjugate base of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and is amphoteric.
  • What common feature do most amphoteric species share in their chemical formula?
    Most amphoteric species have at least one hydrogen atom and a negative charge in their formula.
  • Why is water considered an exception among amphoteric species?
    Water is amphoteric even though it does not have a negative charge, unlike most other amphoteric species.
  • How can you identify an amphoteric species based on its chemical structure?
    If a species has a hydrogen atom at the front and a negative charge at the end, it is likely amphoteric.
  • What happens to water when it acts as a base in a chemical reaction?
    When water acts as a base, it accepts a proton and forms the hydronium ion (H3O+).