Bronsted-Lowery Help: Understanding HCOOH + CN- and H2O + HCO3- Reactions

stuidvkook · 2022-01-26T16:03:01+00:00

1) HCOOH + CN- ---> HCOOH- + HCN 2) H2O + HCO3- H3O+ + CO3-2

Context: Chemistry
Thread starter stuidvkook
Start date Jan 26, 2022
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Acids and bases

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the reactions involving formic acid (HCOOH) and cyanide ion (CN-) as well as water (H2O) and bicarbonate ion (HCO3-). The first reaction, HCOOH + CN- → HCOO- + HCN, is identified as unbalanced, highlighting the discrepancy in hydrogen atom counts. The second reaction, H2O + HCO3- ⇌ H3O+ + CO3^2-, illustrates the concept of conjugate acids and bases, emphasizing the need for clarity in definitions and differences between these terms.

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Understanding of acid-base reactions
Familiarity with conjugate acid-base pairs
Knowledge of chemical equation balancing
Basic concepts of equilibrium in chemical reactions

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Study the principles of balancing chemical equations
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Learn about the properties and reactions of weak acids and bases

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Chemistry students, educators, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of acid-base chemistry and reaction balancing.

Jan 26, 2022

stuidvkook

Homework Statement: Hi I'm super stuck in understanding bronsted lowry theory. I understand how it supposed to function but I can't wrap my brain around it. Generally any tips and advice in helping identifying bases and acids would greatly help me.

In the attempt at a solution is my possible take on this challenge, my friend offered to check it for me and said he is certain that the second one is completely incorrect.

Translation: First equation find acid and the conjugate acid.
Second equation find the base and the conjugate base.

Relevant Equations: bronsted lowry conjugate acids and conjugate bases.

1) HCOOH + CN^- ---> HCOOH^- + HCN

2) H₂O + HCO₃^- <===> H₃O⁺ + CO3^-2

Last edited: Jan 26, 2022

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Jan 26, 2022

Borek

Mentor

Can you quote the definition of conjugate acid and base? How do they differ?

Jan 26, 2022

Ygggdrasil

Science Advisor

Insights Author

Gold Member

Reaction 1 is not a balanced chemical equation (compare the number of hydrogen atoms on the left side of the reaction vs the right side of the reaction).