Question

Write an equation that shows H2PO3− acting as an acid with water. (Omit states-of-matter from your answer. Use the lowest possible whole number coefficients.)
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Write an equation that shows H2PO3− acting as a base with water. (Omit states-of-matter from your answer. Use the lowest possible whole number coefficients.)

Answer 1

H_{​​​​​​2}​​​​​PO_​​​3​​^​​-  + H_{​​​​​​2}​​​O -----> HPO_{​​​​3} ^2- + H_{​​​​​​3}​​​​​O⁺

Here, in the above shown reaction we find that H_{​​​​​2}​​​PO_​​​3^​​-  donates a hydrogen ion and form hydronium ion with water hence, H_{​​​​​​2}​​​​​PO_​​​3^​​- is acting as an acid.

H_{​​​​​​2}​​​​​PO_​​​3^​​-   + H₂O. --------> H₃PO_​​​3 + OH-

Here in this above reaction we see that hydro phosphite ion reacts with water to give hydroxide ion , hence it is acting as a base with water.