3.1.1 and 3.1.2 Bronsted-Lowry acids and bases

chem whatarethemechanismsofchemicalchange

Reactivity 3.1.1 - Brønsted-Lowry acid is a proton donor rand a Brønsted-Lowry base is a proton acceptor

Reactivity 3.1.2 - a pair of species differing by a single proton is called a conjugate acid-base pair

Brønsted-Lowry theory focuses on the transfer of ions during an acid-base reaction:

• acids donate ions
• bases accept ions

conjugate acid-base pairs

in the acid-base reaction between a generic acid and base :

acids react to form bases and bases react to form bases.

conjugate acid-base pairs differ by only 1 proton.

lots of polyatomic ions can act as Brønsted-Lowry bases by accepting

however, the ammonium ion cannot accept to form a conjugate acid. it acts as an acid and forms the conjugate base

alkalis are soluble bases which dissolve in water to release the hydroxide ion

challenge questions

1. from physical properties that you observe in the photo, what might be another way of classifying this reaction?

the product forms smoke which is a solid, from gaseous reactants and so can be classified as sublimation or deposition