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The Brönsted-Lowry Concept of Acids and Bases

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Estimated time: 3 minutes
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Brönsted–Lowry Concept of Acids and Bases

Acid: Proton (H⁺) donor → gives H⁺ → forms conjugate base.

Base: Proton (H⁺) acceptor → accepts H⁺ → forms conjugate acid.

General reactions:

  • Acid ⇌ H⁺ + Conjugate base
  • Base + H⁺ ⇌ Conjugate acid

A conjugate acid-base pair differs by exactly one proton (H⁺).

  • Strong acid → weak conjugate base (and vice versa).
  • Strong base → weak conjugate acid (and vice versa).

Explains reactions without water (non-aqueous media) — advantage over Arrhenius.

Explains why NH₃ acts as a base (accepts H⁺ from water).

Key Example:

\[\mathrm{HCl+NH_3}\rightleftharpoons\mathrm{NH_4^++Cl^-}\]
  • HCl = acid (donates H⁺) → Cl⁻ = conjugate base
  • NH₃ = base (accepts H⁺) → NH₄⁺ = conjugate acid
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