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Home Q & A Board Science-Related Homework Help Chemistry (Moderator: Laser_3)
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smokebomb13 smokebomb13
wrote...
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11 years ago
In the equilibrium shown below, which maintains a steady blood pH, the strongest base present is:

H2CO3 + H2O <=> HCO3- + H3O+

A. H2O
B. H2CO3
C. HCO3-
D. H3O+
E. There are no bases in this equilibrium

Please explain how you got your answer. Any help is appreciated.
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wrote...
#1
11 years ago
In this equation, water acts as the base (it is the strongest base, too).

According the Brønsted?Lowry theory of acids and bases, an acid donates a proton and a base accepts a proton.  If you examine the equation you'll see that the carbonic acid loses a hydrogen ion while water gains the hydrogen ion to become the hydronium ion.
wrote...
#2
11 years ago
C. HCO3-
It is on the side of the reaction with the acid, so you know it is a base. You know H2O is neutral, so the thing with it is closer to neutral than the things on the other side of the arrows. Also, knowing that HCO3- is dissolved carbon dioxide in the blood that works as a buffer is useful in answering this.
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