In the reaction between hydrogen sulphate ion and water HSO₄⁻ + H₂O → H₃O⁺ + SO₄²⁻ the water acts as
- A.an acid
- B.a base
- C.a salt
- D.an inert medium
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, a base. In this reaction water accepts a proton (H⁺) from the hydrogen sulphate ion and becomes the hydronium ion, H₃O⁺, and a proton acceptor is a base.
In the Brønsted-Lowry theory, an acid is a substance that donates a proton and a base is one that accepts a proton. Here HSO₄⁻ gives up a proton and turns into the sulphate ion, SO₄²⁻, so it acts as the acid. Water takes that proton and becomes H₃O⁺. Water is amphoteric: with an acid such as HSO₄⁻ or HCl it acts as a base, while with a base such as ammonia it gives up a proton and acts as an acid, forming OH⁻.
A is wrong because water does not donate a proton in this reaction; it receives one. C is wrong because a salt is the product of an acid and a base reacting, and water plays no such role here. D is wrong because water takes part in the reaction and is changed into H₃O⁺, so it is not inert.
Exam tip: proton donor is an acid, proton acceptor is a base; water can be either.
Practice Questions
View allConsider the following statements : 1. The circulation of nitrogen from the inorganic compounds in the soil to form protein in plants and animals and back again is known as the nitrogen cycle. 2. The preparation of ammonia by Haber process is an endothermic reaction. 3. Urea is synthetically made by the action of ammonia and carbon dioxide under high temperature and high pressure. Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?
- A.1 and 3
- B.2 and 3
- C.2 only
- D.1 only
Show answer
The Haber process is exothermic, not endothermic: nitrogen and hydrogen combine to form ammonia and release heat. In the Haber process, N2 + 3H2 ⇌ 2NH3 gives out about 92 kJ for every two moles of ammonia formed.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements about xylem vessels in plants is not correct?
- A.Xylem vessels have lignified cell walls.
- B.Phloem sieve tubes are identical to xylem vessels in structure.
- C.Dead xylem vessels provide structural support to plants.
- D.Water is transported through xylem vessels.
Show answer
Phloem sieve tubes are not like xylem vessels: sieve tubes are living cells with thin walls and sieve plates, while mature xylem vessels are dead, hollow tubes with thick lignified walls.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following effects best explains the high partial pressure of carbon dioxide causing haemoglobin to release oxygen in actively respiring tissues?
- A.Haldane effect
- B.Allee effect
- C.Bohr effect
- D.Eagle effect
Show answer
The Bohr effect is the fall in haemoglobin's affinity for oxygen when carbon dioxide and acidity rise, so oxygen is unloaded where tissues need it most.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements about arteries is not correct?
- A.The inner lining is made of squamous endothelium.
- B.The middle layer is made of smooth muscle and elastic fibres.
- C.The outer layer is made of fibrous connective tissue with collagen fibres.
- D.Arteries have the thinnest walls amongst any other blood vessels.
Show answer
Arteries have the thickest walls of all blood vessels, not the thinnest, because they carry blood away from the heart under high pressure.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is not an exothermic reaction?
- A.Dissolution of calcium oxide in water
- B.Decomposition of vegetable matter into compost
- C.Decomposition of lead nitrate
- D.Dilution of sodium hydroxide with water
Show answer
Lead nitrate breaks down only when it is heated strongly, so the reaction absorbs heat and is endothermic. On heating, lead nitrate gives lead oxide, brown fumes of nitrogen dioxide and oxygen: 2Pb(NO3)2 → 2PbO + 4NO2 + O2.
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