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Brønsted-Lowry Theory
Brønsted-Lowry theory defines acids as proton (H+ ion) donors and bases as proton
acceptors.
An H+ ion is transferred from the HCl to the NH3, so HCl is the acid and NH3 is the
base.
Some compounds such as water may act as both an acid and a base.
(e.g. H2O OH- or H3O+)
Acid base reactions always involve an acid-base conjugate pairs. The conjugate
base always has one less H atom that the acid.
Lewis Theory
The term "acid" refers to a group of compounds whose chemical properties are
similar. Some common acids are HCl, CH3COOH, H2SO4, HNO3.
The term "base" refers to a group of compounds whose chemical properties are
similar. Some common bases are NaOH, NH3.
There are several types of compounds which all come under the general heading of
bases.
Base example formula Solubility in water
Metal hydroxides Sodium hydroxide NaOH very soluble
Metal oxides Calcium oxide CaO reacts with water
Magnesium
Metal carbonates MgCO3 insoluble
carbonate
Metal hydrogen Sodium hydrogen
NaHCO3 soluble
carbonates carbonate
Metal sulphites
Sodium sulphite Na2SO3 soluble
(sulphate (IV))
Ammonia solution Ammonia (aq) NH3(aq) very soluble
Each one changes colour at a different pH, and so there will be situations where one
is useful and others are not.
Reactions of acids
Strong and weak acids are defined by their ease of losing (or donating) a proton.
A strong acid or base, when placed in water, will almost fully ionise/dissociate
A weak acid or base, however, will only partially dissociate into ions, leaving a high
percentage of unreacted molecules in the solution. An equilibrium is established:
However, the same amount of a base is needed to neutralise a weak acid and a
strong acid. Titration is not a good method of distinguishing between a strong and
weak acid/base because the same volume will react.
Conductivity
pH
Rate of Reaction
The rate of hydrogen production with metals or CO2 with CaCO3 will reveal the
strength of an acid.
Universal indicator solution is often used to measure pH, and has characteristic
colours at different pH values.
pH is a measure of the strength of an acid or base, and also of the concentration of
that acid / base
pH = - log10 [H+]
e.g:
If [H+] = 1.000 mol dm-3 , pH = 0
If [H+] = 0.100 mol dm-3 , pH = 1
If [H+] = 0.010 mol dm-3 , pH = 2
If [H+] = 0.001 mol dm-3 , pH = 3