[ME1987]

I have to do this problem but I don't know how too.


The following substances act as Brønsted acids in water. Write a chemical equation for each that illustrates its reaction with water.

a.       hydrofluoric acid, HF

b.      ammonium ion, NH4

c.       carbonic acid, H2CO3

d.      nitrous acid, HNO2

 

[charco]

Bronsted Lowry's definition of acids says that acids are proton donors. Water molecules will accept these protons to become H3O+

You have to identify which of the hydrogens can be released by the acids in question and show the species on the right hand side as the conjugate base (the acids with the hydrogen ion removed) along with the hydroxonium ion.

Example

CH3COOH + H2O ---> CH3COO- + H3O+

[TchrKall]

One more example for you:

NH₄⁺ + H₂O ---> NH₃ + H₃O⁺