When iron ions react with water, some of the iron ions will combine with water molecules, like this:
Fe3+(aq) + 3H2O(l) à Fe(OH)3(s) + 3H+(aq)
In this case, is the iron ion acting like an acid or a base? Explain.
A. The iron ion is acting like a base. It is forcing water to give up a hydronium ion, which agrees with the Brønsted-Lowry definition of an acid.
B. The iron ion is acting like an acid. It has accepted a pair of electrons from the oxygen, which agrees with the Lewis definition of an acid.
C. The iron is not acting like either an acid or a base. It is a reducing agent because it has been oxidized.
D. The iron ion is acting like an acid. It is removing hydroxide from the solution, which agrees with the Arrhenius definition of an acid.
