Question

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

Answer 1

Explanation:

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

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

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

For example:

$HCl(aq)+NH_3(aq)\rightarrow Cl^-(aq)+NH_4^{+}(aq)$

Here, $HCl$ is loosing a proton, thus it is considered as an acid and after losing a proton, it forms $Cl^-$ 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.