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An amphoteric molecule can, under the right conditions, release either a free hydrogen ion (H+) or a free hydroxide ion (OH-). Water is made out of a hydrogen ion and a hydroxide ion, so you can create reactions that go either way.

Hence, under the appropriate conditions water acts like an acid; while under other conditions, it acts as a base.

Water acts as an acid, releasing H+ ions, when it reacts with a base stronger than itself.

H-OH + NH3 ---> NH4+ + OH-

Water acts as a base, releasing OH- ions, when it reacts with an acid stronger than itself.

H-OH + HCl ---> H3O+ + Cl-

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14y ago
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6mo ago

Water is considered to be amphoteric because it can act as both an acid and a base. It can donate a proton, behaving as an acid, or accept a proton, behaving as a base. This ability is due to the presence of both hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-) in water.

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11y ago

Chemically, water is amphoteric — i.e., it is able to act as either an acid or a base.

HCl + H2O ⇌ H3O+ + Cl−


Here water is acting as a base, by receiving an H+ ion.

In the reaction with ammonia, NH3, water donates an H+ ion, and is thus acting as an acid:
NH3 + H2O ⇌ NH4+ + OH−


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Q: Why is water considered to be amphoteric?
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