Chemistry

Bicarbonate is an ion with the chemical formula HCO3–. In the presence of water, it results in the following reactions:
(i) HCO3–(aq) + H2O(l) → H2CO3(aq) + OH–(aq)
(ii) HCO3–(aq) + H2O(l) → CO32–(aq) + H3O+(aq)

In the above reactions, the bicarbonate ion acts as _____.

a) a strong acid
b) a strong base
c) an acid in reaction (i) and as a base in reaction (ii)
d) a base in reaction (i) and as an acid in reaction (ii)
e) a weak base

3 answers

c) an acid in reaction (i) and as a base in reaction (ii)
are you sure?
I apologize for the confusion. Upon further analysis, the correct answer is actually:

d) a base in reaction (i) and as an acid in reaction (ii)