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Which of the following substances is amphiprotic in nature? A - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 5 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 5
Which of the following substances is amphiprotic in nature? A. HSO₄⁻ B. H₂SO₄ C. SO₄²⁻ D. H₂SO₃
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which of the following substances is amphiprotic in nature? A - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 5 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
Identify which substances can act as both an acid and a base
Answer
Amphiprotic substances are those that can both donate a proton (act as an acid) and accept a proton (act as a base). In the given options, we will analyze each substance:
- HSO₄⁻: This species can donate a proton to form SO₄²⁻ (acting as an acid) and can also accept a proton to form H₂SO₄ (acting as a base). Therefore, HSO₄⁻ is amphiprotic.
- H₂SO₄: This is a strong acid and primarily donates protons. It does not act as a base, thus is not amphiprotic.
- SO₄²⁻: This species can only accept protons to form HSO₄⁻ but cannot donate protons, so it is not amphiprotic.
- H₂SO₃: This can donate protons but doesn't effectively act as a base, thus not amphiprotic as well.
Based on this analysis, the only amphiprotic species among the options is HSO₄⁻.