Defining Acids and Bases
Define and acid, now define a base. You just had trouble coming up with a definition didn't you? Defining acids and bases in words is like defining water. It is because of this that we define acids and bases using theories devised from Johannes Nicolaus Bronsted, Thomas Martin Lowry, Svante Arrhenius, and Gilbert Newton Lewis.
The Theories
Bronsted-Lowry Theory
-An acid is a proton (hydrogen ion) donor
-A base is a proton (hydrogen ion) receptor
-An acid is a proton (hydrogen ion) donor
-A base is a proton (hydrogen ion) receptor
Arrhenius Theory
-When placed in a solution acids release hydrogen (H+) ions
-When placed in a solution bases release hydroxide (OH-) ions
-When placed in a solution acids release hydrogen (H+) ions
-When placed in a solution bases release hydroxide (OH-) ions
Lewis Theory
-Acids are electron pair receivers
-Bases are electron pair donors
-Acids are electron pair receivers
-Bases are electron pair donors
Now that we know the definitions of acids and bases, click here to learn their properties!