Question
Question: How do you identify Bronsted acids and bases?...
How do you identify Bronsted acids and bases?
Solution
In order to this question, to identify between the bronsted acids and bronsted bases, we should first go through the exact meaning of bronsted. And then we will give example of both bronsted acid and bronsted bases.
Complete step by step solution:
You must see what role they play in a specific reaction. If a molecule is a proton donor, it is a Bronsted acid; a proton acceptor is a Bronsted base.
To classify a substance as a Bronsted acid or base is a little like trying to judge the character of a person. Is long as they are alone and isolated, you cannot tell. It is only through their interactions with other people that you see characteristics like generosity, etc.
Bronsted acids and bases are like that. If a molecule or ion is isolated from other compounds, you cannot tell whether it will be a proton donor or acceptor. It is only when it interacts with other molecules that you can identify its character.
Here we have two examples:
HSO4−+NH3→NH4++SO42−
Here, the HSO4− ion donates a proton to NH3 and is a bronsted acid.
HCl+HSO4−→H2SO4+Cl−
This time, HSO4− accepts a proton from HCl and is a bronsted base.
Note:
The determination of a substance as a Bronsted-Lowery acid or base can only be done by observing the reaction. In the case of the HOH it is a base in the first case and an acid in the second case. To determine whether a substance is an acid or a base, count the hydrogens on each substance before and after the reaction.