Organic Chemistry (8th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321768418
ISBN 13: 978-0-32176-841-4

Chapter 1 - Introduction and Review - Problems - Page 25: Problem 1-14 b

Answer

Water accepts a proton from HCl to act as a base. And donates a proton to $NH_3$, to act as an acid.

Work Step by Step

Any species that donates a proton is acid and that accepts a proton is a base. Water with $NH_3$ donates a proton so is an acid. With HCl, it accepts a proton so it acts as a base.
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