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Brønsted-Lowry Theory

  • Page ID
    39022
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    Brønsted-Lowry theory is a theory on acids and bases. In many reactions a H+, which is simply a proton, is transferred from one species to another. According to Brønsted-Lowry theory, the species that donates the H+ is an acid; the one that accepts the H+ is a base.

    eg. 1:

    bronsted1.png

    In this reaction,
    HCl donates a H+ to water and, therefore, acts as an acid.
    Water accepts a H+ from HCl and, therefore, acts as a base.

    bronsted2.png

    In the reverse reaction, Cl¯ acts as a base and H3O+ acts as an acid.

    bronsted3.png

    When HCl acts as an acid, it becomes Cl¯, which is a base and is called the conjugate base of HCl. When water acts as a base, it becomes H3O+, which is an acid and is called the conjugate acid of water.

    bronsted4.png

    eg. 2:

    bronsted5.png

    see also acid strength, acid dissociation constant, Lewis theory


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