Acids and bases are fundamental concepts in chemistry. They play a crucial role in various chemical reactions and biological processes. Understanding their properties is essential for anyone studying chemistry.
According to the Arrhenius definition, an acid is a substance that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions ($H^+$) in aqueous solution. Brønsted-Lowry definition expands on this, defining an acid as a proton ($H^+$) donor. Lewis definition identifies acids as electron pair acceptors.
A base, according to Arrhenius, increases the concentration of hydroxide ions ($OH^−$) in aqueous solution. Brønsted-Lowry defines a base as a proton ($H^+$) acceptor. Lewis defines bases as electron pair donors.
| Feature | Acid | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Arrhenius Definition | Increases $H^+$ concentration in water | Increases $OH^−$ concentration in water |
| Brønsted-Lowry Definition | Proton ($H^+$) donor | Proton ($H^+$) acceptor |
| Lewis Definition | Electron pair acceptor | Electron pair donor |
| Taste | Sour | Bitter |
| Litmus Paper Test | Turns blue litmus paper red | Turns red litmus paper blue |
| pH Value | Less than 7 | Greater than 7 |
| Examples | Hydrochloric acid ($HCl$), Sulfuric acid ($H_2SO_4$) | Sodium hydroxide ($NaOH$), Ammonia ($NH_3$) |
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