Question

Identify the acids and the bases in the chemical equation.

Answer 1

Answer:

Acids: $HCl, C_5H_5NH^+$

Bases: $C_5H_5N, Cl^-$

Explanation:

According to the Bronsted-Lowry acid-base theory, an acid is a proton donor and a base is a proton acceptor. In this case, notice that $HCl$ donates a proton, since after it loses a proton, it becomes a chloride anion. Therefore, $HCl$ is a Bronsted acid.

Similarly, $C_5H_5N$ is a proton acceptor and, therefore, a Bronsted base, since it becomes $C_5H_5NH^+$.

If we look at the reverse reaction, chloride can gain a proton to become $HCl$, meaning it's a conjugate base.

Finally, $C_5H_5NH^+$ is a conjugate acid, since it can donate a proton to chloride.