Answer:
Explanation:
The chemical equation is:
There are several definitions of acid and bases: Arrhenius', Bronsted-Lowry's and Lewis'.
Bronsted-Lowry model defines and acid as a donor of protons, H⁺.
In the given equation HNO₃ is such substance: it releases an donates its hdyrogen to form the H₃O⁺ ion.
On the other hand, a base is a substance that accepts protons.
In the reaction shown, H₂O accepts the proton from HNO₃ to form H₃O⁺.
Thus, H₂O is a base.
In turn, on the reactant sides the substances can be classified as acids or bases.
H₃O⁺ contain an hydrogen that can be donated and form H₂O; thus, it is an acid (the conjugated acid), and NO₃⁻ can accept a proton to form HNO₃; thus it is a base (the conjugated base).
