AMPHOTERIC REACTION Meaning and
Definition
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An amphoteric reaction is a chemical reaction or property exhibited by a substance that can act as both an acid and a base. The term "amphoteric" is derived from the Greek words "amphi" meaning "both" and "teros" meaning "direction," indicating its ability to react in both acidic and basic directions.
In an amphoteric reaction, the substance can accept or donate a proton (H+ ion) depending on the chemical environment it is exposed to. When reacting with a strong acid, the substance behaves as a base, accepting a proton and forming a conjugate acid. Conversely, when reacting with a strong base, the substance behaves as an acid, donating a proton and forming a conjugate base.
This versatile behavior is typically observed in substances with an uneven distribution of electron density, allowing for the donation or acceptance of protons. Examples of amphoteric compounds include water, which can act as both an acid and a base, and certain metal oxides, such as zinc oxide and aluminum oxide.
The amphoteric nature of a substance can be explained by the presence of lone electron pairs or other electron-donating or -accepting groups. This property plays a crucial role in various chemical and biological processes, enabling the substance to react and participate in a wide range of reactions and transformations.
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A double reaction possessed by certain fluids, such as freshly drawn milk, which turns blue litmus paper red and red litmus paper blue.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for AMPHOTERIC REACTION
- zmphoteric reaction
- smphoteric reaction
- wmphoteric reaction
- qmphoteric reaction
- anphoteric reaction
- akphoteric reaction
- ajphoteric reaction
- amohoteric reaction
- amlhoteric reaction
- am-hoteric reaction
- am0hoteric reaction
- ampgoteric reaction
- ampboteric reaction
- ampnoteric reaction
- ampjoteric reaction
- ampuoteric reaction
- ampyoteric reaction
- amphiteric reaction
- amphkteric reaction
- amphlteric reaction
Etymology of AMPHOTERIC REACTION
The term "amphoteric reaction" is derived from two root words - "ampho-" and "-teric".
The prefix "ampho-" is derived from the Greek word "amphos" (ἀμφός), meaning "both" or "on both sides". In chemistry, it is used to denote a substance that can react both as an acid and as a base.
The suffix "-teric" comes from the Greek word "teros" (τερος), meaning "having the nature of" or "pertaining to". It is commonly used in chemistry to describe substances that have a specific property or characteristic.
When combined, "ampho-" and "-teric" form the term "amphoteric", which refers to a substance that can exhibit dual behavior by acting as both an acid and a base.
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