Which if the folowin species is not amphoteric?

a) H2SO4
b) H2PO4-
c) HPO4 2-
d) HSO4-
e) H2O

Nevaeh,

Before you get Dr.Bob222 to weigh on in, I want to add a little about amphoteric species. Amphoteric species are those molecules that can react as both an acid and a base. The acid donates H^+, and the base receives the proton(H^+ ion). If the acid loses a proton an H^+, its conjugate base still has a hydrogen atom. H2SO4 is a strong acid that completely disassociates and can only donate protons(its polyprotic. A is not amphoteric

No point in my weighing in!

well understood

What the duck is the answer

To determine which of the following species is not amphoteric, we need to understand what it means for a substance to be amphoteric.

Amphoteric substances are those that can act as both acids and bases, depending on the conditions. They have the ability to accept or donate protons (H+ ions).

To find the species that is not amphoteric among the options given, we can examine the nature of the species and their chemical behavior.

a) H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) - Sulfuric acid is a strong acid and can donate protons, so it can act as an acid.
b) H2PO4- (dihydrogen phosphate ion) - This species can accept protons, acting as a base.
c) HPO4 2- (hydrogen phosphate ion) - This species can accept or donate protons, so it is amphoteric.
d) HSO4- (hydrogen sulfate ion) - This species can accept protons, acting as a base.
e) H2O (water) - Water can act as both an acid and a base, making it amphoteric.

Based on the given options, all of them are amphoteric except for option (a) H2SO4 (sulfuric acid), which is a strong acid and does not exhibit basic behavior. Therefore, the correct answer is (a) H2SO4.