Water is neither acidic nor basic; it is neutral. It has a pH of 7, which is the midpoint on the pH scale. This means that water has an equal balance of hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).
However, water can act as both an acid and a base, depending on the situation. This is because it can donate or accept a proton (H+).
Here are a few things to remember about water's acidic and basic properties:
- Amphiprotic nature: Water is considered amphiprotic because it can act as both a proton donor and a proton acceptor.
- Brønsted-Lowry definition: The Brønsted-Lowry definition of acids and bases describes an acid as a proton donor and a base as a proton acceptor. Water fits this definition because it can donate or accept protons.
- pH scale: The pH scale is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution. A pH of 7 is neutral, a pH below 7 is acidic, and a pH above 7 is basic.
In summary, water is neutral and has a pH of 7. It is both an acid and a base, as it can donate or accept a proton. However, pure water is neither acidic nor basic.
