How do classify the behaviour of water as an acid?

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How do classify the behaviour of water as an acid?

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Answer 1 · 2017-05-25T10:05:41

Water is an $amphoteric species$ $"amphoteric species"$ according to the $Bronsted Lowry concept.$ $"Bronsted Lowry concept."$

Explanation:

According to the $Lewis concept$ $"Lewis concept"$ , water is also amphoteric.

A Lewis acid is defined as an electron-pair acceptor; and a Lewis base in an electron pair donor. Water's dual classification can be appreciated from the autoprotolysis reaction of water:

$2 H_{2} O (l) ⇌ H_{3} O^{+} + H O^{-}$ $2H_2O(l) rightleftharpoonsH_3O^(+)+HO^(-)$

While this (carefully measured!) equilibrium lies strongly to the left, water has clearly acted as a Lewis base to give the $hydronium ion$ $"hydronium ion"$ , and as a Lewis acid to give the $hydroxide ion$ $"hydroxide ion"$ .

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How do classify the behaviour of water as an acid?

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