Is distilled water a acid or a base?

Answer 1

In general it is said to be neutral, but having said so you can (and Mr. Lewis did in his theory on acid and base) see water as both an acid and as base:

• Acid behaviour of H2O, donating a proton to base B-

  H2O + B- --> OH- + HB (1)

• base behaviour of H2O, accepting a proton from acid HB

  H2O + HB --> H3O+ + B- (2)

• Ampholyte*) behaviour: donating a proton to itself as acceptor

  (H2O)donor + (H2O)acceptor <--> OH- + H3O+

  which makes water having both concentrations [H3O+] = [OH-] = 1.0*10-7, so: pH = 7

*) Ampholyt means: both donor and acceptor, at the same time, 'like twins'

Answer 2

Pure water is (by definition) neutral.

This is because it has equal amounts of H+ and OH- ions (both 1.0*10-7 mol/L)

and thus pH = 7.0 = pOH.

Actually it is both an acid and a base (called: ampholyte = both acid and base):

H2O <==> H+ + OH-

Answer 3

Yes according to science Yes according to science

Answer 4

It's a basic. Thanks for asking? Great question!

Answer 5

Should be neutral, might be a bit acidic by CO2 from air after some time of exposure after distillation.

Answer 6

Distilled water is neutral.

Answer 7

Distilled water is neutral.

Answer 8

Pure water is neutral.