Assertion : `HCO_3^-` can act as an acid as well as a base
Reason : `HCO_3^-` can lose as well as gain proton.

Options

A. Assertion and reason both are correct statements and Reason is correct explanation for assertion.
B. Assertion and reason both are correct statement but reason is not correct explanation for assertion
C. Assertion is correct statement but reason is wrong statement.
D. Assertion is wrong statement but reason is correct statement

Answer

To solve the question regarding the assertion and reason about the bicarbonate ion (\(HCO_3^-\)), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Assertion
The assertion states that \(HCO_3^-\) can act as both an acid and a base. According to the Brønsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases:
- An acid is a substance that can donate a proton (\(H^+\)).
- A base is a substance that can accept a proton (\(H^+\)).

### Step 2: Analyze the Behavior of \(HCO_3^-\)
- As an **acid**, \(HCO_3^-\) can donate a proton:
\[ HCO_3^- \rightarrow CO_3^{2-} + H^+ \]
Here, when \(HCO_3^-\) loses a proton, it forms the carbonate ion (\(CO_3^{2-}\)).

- As a **base**, \(HCO_3^-\) can accept a proton:
\[ HCO_3^- + H^+ \rightarrow H_2CO_3 \]
In this case, when \(HCO_3^-\) gains a proton, it forms carbonic acid (\(H_2CO_3\)).

### Step 3: Understand the Reason
The reason states that \(HCO_3^-\) can lose as well as gain a proton. This is consistent with our analysis in Step 2, where we demonstrated that \(HCO_3^-\) can indeed both donate and accept protons.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Both the assertion and the reason are correct. Therefore, we conclude that:
- Assertion: True
- Reason: True
- The reason correctly explains the assertion.

### Final Answer
Both the assertion and reason are correct, and the reason accurately supports the assertion.

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