Question

Explain how to label a compound as a Bronstead-Lowry acid or base .

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the Bronsted-Lowry conjugate acid-base theory:

1. An acid is a substance which looses donates protons and thus forming conjugate base.

`HA(aq)\rightarrow H^+(aq)+A^-(aq)(\text{conjugate base})`

2. A base is a substance which accepts protons and thus forming conjugate acid.

`BOH(aq)+H^+(aq)\rightarrow BOH_2^(+)(aq)(\text{conjugate acid})`

For example:

`HNO_3(aq)+NH_3(aq)\rightarrow NO_3^(-)(aq)+NH_4^(+)(aq)`

Here,
`HNO_3` is loosing a proton, thus it is considered as an acid and after losing a proton, it forms
`NO_3^(-)` which is a conjugate base.

And,
`NH_3` is gaining a proton, thus it is considered as a base and after gaining a proton, it forms
`NH_4^(+)` which is a conjugate acid.