Question

Identify the Brønsted acid in the following equation:
H2SO4(aq) + 2NH3(aq)
(NH4)2SO4aq

Answer 1

H₂SO₄

Step-by-step explanation:

A Brønsted acid is a proton donor. It loses protons.

This equation may be easier to understand if we write it ionically.

`\underbrace{\hbox{H$_(2)$SO$_(4)$}}_{\hbox{Br$\o{}$nsted acid}} + 2 \text{NH}_(3) \longrightarrow \, \underbrace{\hbox{SO$_(4)^(2-)$}}_{\hbox{Br$\o{}$nsted base}} + \text{2 NH}_(4)^(+)`

We see that the H₂SO₄ has lost two protons to become SO₄²⁻, so it is a Brønsted acid.