Question

What causes the amphoteric property to some substances.? (For example,Ammonia)

Answer 1

• amphoteric substance is a substance that has the ability to act either as an acid or a base.
• Remember that acids donate protons (or accept electron pairs) and bases accept protons.
• Amphoteric substances can do either.

• Ammonia is normally a base, but in some reactions it can act like an acid.

• Ammonia acts as a base. It accepts a proton to form ammonium.

• Ammonia's amphotericproperties are not often seen because ammonia typically acts like a base.