Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q22 (NDA-II/2015) Science & Technology › Basic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) › Basic chemical principles Answer Verified

Boric acid is an acid because its molecule:

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: A
Explanation

Boric acid (H3BO3) is a weak monobasic acid that behaves uniquely compared to traditional Brønsted-Lowry acids. Instead of donating a proton (H+) through direct dissociation, it acts as a Lewis acid by accepting an electron pair from a hydroxide ion (OH-) in water [1]. When boric acid is added to an aqueous solution, it interacts with water molecules to form the tetrahydroxyborate ion [B(OH)4]- [1]. This process involves the boric acid molecule accepting a hydroxide ion from water, which consequently releases a proton (H+) into the solution. This release of a proton from the water molecule, triggered by the acceptance of OH-, is what accounts for its acidity [1]. Therefore, it is classified as a Lewis acid because its boron atom is electron-deficient and can accommodate an additional pair of electrons from the hydroxide ion.

Sources

  1. [1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022354920302082
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
39%
got it right
✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-II · 2017 · Q17 Relevance score: -4.70

In the reaction between hydrogen sulphate ion and water HSO4 + H20 H30+ + SOj- the water acts as

NDA-I · 2014 · Q5 Relevance score: -5.03

Which of the following acids is a mineral acid?

NDA-I · 2013 · Q85 Relevance score: -5.23

The acid in gastric juice is

IAS · 1998 · Q127 Relevance score: -5.31

Assertion (A) : Formic acid is a stronger acid than acetic acid. Reason (R) : Formic acid is ah organic acid.