To determine which reactant acts as an acid by contributing an [tex]\( H^+ \)[/tex] ion to create [tex]\( H_3O^+ \)[/tex] in the given chemical equation:
[tex]\[
C_6H_5OH (aq) + H_2O (l) \rightarrow C_6H_5O^- (aq) + H_3O^+ (aq)
\][/tex]
we need to closely examine the roles of the substances involved in the reaction.
### Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify the initial reactants and final products:
- Reactants: [tex]\( C_6H_5OH (aq) \)[/tex] and [tex]\( H_2O (l) \)[/tex]
- Products: [tex]\( C_6H_5O^- (aq) \)[/tex] and [tex]\( H_3O^+ (aq) \)[/tex]
2. Analyze the change in the reactants:
- Phenol [tex]\( C_6H_5OH (aq) \)[/tex]: If phenol donates an [tex]\( H^+ \)[/tex] ion, it would form [tex]\( C_6H_5O^- \)[/tex].
- Water [tex]\( H_2O (l) \)[/tex]: If water accepts an [tex]\( H^+ \)[/tex] ion, it would form [tex]\( H_3O^+ \)[/tex].
3. Determine the substances acting as acids and bases:
- An acid is defined as a substance that can donate an [tex]\( H^+ \)[/tex] ion.
- A base is a substance that can accept an [tex]\( H^+ \)[/tex] ion.
4. Identify the substance forming [tex]\( H_3O^+ \)[/tex]:
- In this reaction, [tex]\( H_3O^+ \)[/tex] is formed, which means an [tex]\( H^+ \)[/tex] ion must have been donated by one of the reactants.
5. Which reactant donates the [tex]\( H^+ \)[/tex] ion?
- The [tex]\( H^+ \)[/tex] ion must come from [tex]\( C_6H_5OH \)[/tex] since it forms [tex]\( C_6H_5O^- \)[/tex] once it loses the [tex]\( H^+ \)[/tex] ion.
- Therefore, [tex]\( C_6H_5OH \)[/tex] donates the [tex]\( H^+ \)[/tex] ion.
6. Conclusion:
- [tex]\( C_6H_5OH \)[/tex] (phenol) acts as the acid because it donates an [tex]\( H^+ \)[/tex] ion to water, which results in the formation of [tex]\( H_3O^+ \)[/tex].
### Final Answer:
[tex]\( C_6H_5OH (aq) \)[/tex] acts as an acid by contributing an [tex]\( H^+ \)[/tex] ion to create [tex]\( H_3O^+ \)[/tex] in the chemical equation.
