Acid and base theory

Arrhenius Theory:

● Proposed by Svante Arrhenius in 1884, the Arrhenius theory defines acids as

substances that dissociate in water to produce hydrogen ions (H⁺) and bases
as substances that dissociate in water to produce hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
● According to this theory, an acid-base reaction involves the transfer of protons
(H⁺ ions) from an acid to a base to form water and a salt.

2. Brønsted-Lowry Theory:

● The Brønsted-Lowry theory, developed independently by Johannes Nicolaus

Brønsted and Thomas Martin Lowry in 1923, expands the concept of acids
and bases beyond aqueous solutions.
● According to this theory, an acid is a proton (H⁺) donor, and a base is a proton
(H⁺) acceptor. In other words, an acid-base reaction involves the transfer of
protons (H⁺ ions) from one species to another.

3. Lewis Theory:

● The Lewis theory, proposed by Gilbert N. Lewis in 1923, defines acids as

electron pair acceptors and bases as electron pair donors.
● According to this theory, an acid-base reaction involves the donation of an
electron pair from the base to the acid, forming a coordinate covalent bond
(also known as a dative bond).

4. Characteristics of Acids and Bases:

● Acids: Acids typically have sour tastes, turn blue litmus paper red, and react
with metals to produce hydrogen gas. They also conduct electricity when
dissolved in water.
● Bases: Bases typically have bitter tastes, feel slippery to the touch, turn red
litmus paper blue, and have a characteristic soapy feel. They also conduct
electricity when dissolved in water.

5. Strength of Acids and Bases:

● The strength of an acid or base refers to its ability to ionize or dissociate in

water to produce ions.
● Strong acids and bases ionize completely in solution, whereas weak acids and
bases only partially ionize.
 ● The strength of an acid or base can be quantified by its acid dissociation
constant (Ka) or base dissociation constant (Kb), respectively.

6. pH Scale:

● The pH scale is a logarithmic scale that measures the acidity or basicity of a

solution. It ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, pH values less than 7
indicating acidity, and pH values greater than 7 indicating alkalinity (basicity).
● pH is calculated using the formula: pH = -log[H⁺], where [H⁺] represents the
concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution.

7. Applications of Acid-Base Theories:

● Acid-base theories are foundational in various fields, including analytical

chemistry, environmental science, and biochemistry.
● They are essential for understanding and controlling processes such as
acid-base titrations, pH regulation in biological systems, and the behavior of
acids and bases in aqueous environments.