Three definitions of acid

Theory:
Who Acid= When

Arrhenius increases H+ 1880’s

BrønstedLowry proton donor 1923

Lewis (not part

of Chem 1) Electron-pair
1923
acceptor
 Three definitions of acid
Theory:
Who Acid= When

Arrhenius increases H+ 1880’s

Brønsted-Lowry proton donor 1923

Electron-pair
Lewis 1923
acceptor

Acids
and
Bases
 Some Definitions
• Arrhenius acids and bases
➢Acid: Substance that, when dissolved in
water, increases the concentration of
hydrogen ions (protons, H+).

➢Base: Substance that, when dissolved in

water, increases the concentration of
hydroxide ions.

Acids
and
Bases
A Brønsted–Lowry acid…
…must have a removable (acidic) proton.
HCl, H2O, H2SO4, HSO 4
-

A Brønsted–Lowry base…
…must have a pair of nonbonding
electrons. NH3, H2O, OH-

Acids
and
Bases
Relative Strengths of
Acids and Bases

an acid is strong if it
completely ionizes in
water. In the
reaction of hydrogen
chloride with water,
for example, water
acts as a base,
accepting the proton
from HCl.
Relative Strengths of Acids and
Bases

• Strong acids are

completely
dissociated in water
(100%)
➢Their conjugate bases are
quite weak.

Acids
and
Bases
• Weak acids only
dissociate partially in water, often around 1%.
➢Their conjugate bases are weak bases.
Acid - Base indicators (also known as pH indicators) are substances which change
colour with pH. They are usually weak acids or bases, which when dissolved in water
dissociate slightly and form ions.
Consider an indicator which is a weak acid, with the formula HIn. At equilibrium, the
following equilibrium equation is established with its conjugate base: