alleryStart learning →The hydrogen sulfite ion reacts with hydroxide ion. Which products form?
ASulfurous acid and the iodide ion form
BSulfurous acid and one water molecule form
CThe sulfate ion and one water molecule form
DThe sulfite ion and one water molecule form
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. The sulfite ion and one water molecule form
1. Hydroxide is a strong proton acceptor, so it takes a proton from its partner.
2. The hydrogen sulfite ion therefore acts as the acid in this pairing.
3. Losing its proton turns hydrogen sulfite into the sulfite ion.
4. The hydroxide that gained the proton becomes water.
5. Sulfurous acid forms only when hydrogen sulfite acts as a base and gains a proton.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 14 "Acid-Base Equilibria", section 14.1 Brønsted-Lowry Acids and Bases_
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