Question

HNO3 + H2O → H3O^+ + NO3 which ones are acids and which ones are bases

Answer 1

Answer:

• HNO₃ and  H₃O⁺ are acids

• H₂O and  NO₃⁻ are bases

Explanation:

The chemical equation is:

• HNO₃ + H₂O → H₃O⁺ + NO₃⁻

There are several definitions of acid and bases: Arrhenius', Bronsted-Lowry's and Lewis'.

Bronsted-Lowry model defines and acid as a donor of protons, H⁺.

In the given equation HNO₃ is such substance: it releases an donates its hdyrogen to form the H₃O⁺ ion.

On the other hand, a base is a substance that accepts protons.

In the reaction shown, H₂O accepts the proton from HNO₃ to form H₃O⁺.

Thus, H₂O is a base.

In turn, on the reactant sides the substances can be classified as acids or bases.

H₃O⁺ contain an hydrogen that can be donated and form H₂O; thus, it is an acid (the conjugated acid), and NO₃⁻ can accept a proton to form HNO₃; thus it is a base (the conjugated base).