The pH active species HCO − 3 (bicarb) then reacts with the water present. Bicarb is amphoteric and therefore can react with water as an acid or base. Identify the appropriate equilibrium reaction for the type of reaction and identify the appropriate equilibrium constant. Recall that K a1 refers to the first dissociation of carbonic acid ( H 2 CO 3 ) and K a2 refers to the second. It might be helpful to write the stepwise dissociation reactions. For the acid write the products and identify the appropriate K value.

The characteristics of two different types of reactions are shown below: reaction a: electrons are gained by the atoms of an element. reaction b: protons are lost by the atom of an element. which statement is true about the atoms of the elements that participate in the two reactions? their identity changes in both reaction a and reaction b. their identity changes in reaction a but not in reaction b. their identity changes in reaction b but not in reaction a. their identity remains the same in both reaction a and reaction b.