Question

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

Answer 1

Answer:

H₂SO₄  

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.