How can compounds be amphoteric?

[Sarah Zhari 1D]

How do some compounds have both basic and acidic character?

[haileyramsey-1c]

A compound can be amphoteric if it can accept or donate a proton and it depends on what the compound is reacting with. For example a water molecule reacting with HCl acts as a bronstead base and accepts a proton. But, when water is reacting with NH3, it acts as a bronstead acid and donates a proton.

[Fiona Latifi 1A]

Amphoteric compounds are those that are able to either accept or donate a proton, depending on what other compounds they react with. For example, HCO3- can either accept a proton and become H2CO3 or donate a proton and become CO3 2-.

[Adelpha Chan 1B]

How do some compounds have both basic and acidic character?

compounds can be both acidic and basic in character if they are able to increase the concentration of either H3O+ or OH- ions depending on the solution the compound is placed in

[Michelle Xie 2B]

Amphoteric compounds can both donate and accept a proton.

[Kavee Dodampahala 4E]

To add on, another example of an amphoteric compound is H2O.