Acetic acid is a weak acid. Upon losing a proton, acetic acid yields the acetate anion.

(a) Draw a dot diagram for the acetate anion.

(b) Hydrogen atoms that are bound to carbon atoms are not acidic. Knowing this, is it possible for the acetate anion to serve as an acid? Explain.

(c) In fact, acetate ion is a weak base. Write a chemical equilibrium with unequal-length arrows showing how acetate in water produces a weakly basic solution.

(d) Is water acting as an acid or a base? Explain.