help with chemical formula

Question

using the chemical equation      C₂H₄O₂    +   H₂O      →   H₃O^+     + C₂H₃O₂^-

 

 

How do I explain that H₂O is the chemical formula for the reactant which gives up a hydrogen ion in this reaction?

 

 

How do I explain that H + ion is the chemical formula for the reactant which accepts a hydrogen ion in this reaction?

 

How do I explain the C₂H₄O₂ is the chemical formula for the reactant which behaves like an acid in this reaction?

 

thanks

Answer 1

C₂H₄O₂   does give up a H+ ion in this disassociation reaction.   It gives it to the H₂O molecule which becomes   H₃O⁺.    Since C₂H₄O₂ gives up an H+ it is an acid (acetic acid or IUPAC ethanolic acid).  The conjugate base of the acetic acid shows up on the right hand side:  C₂H₃O₂^-  (the acetate ion).  The water molecule on the left hand side actually accepts a H+ ion (thus acting like a base).