2.5.1

Brønsted-Lowry Acids & Bases (A2 Only)

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Brønsted-Lowry Acids and Bases

The chemists Brønsted and Lowry defined what an acid-base reaction is.

Brønsted-Lowry acids

Brønsted-Lowry acids

  • A Brønsted-Lowry acid is a proton donor. This means that it gives up H+ ions in solutions. Examples of Brønsted-Lowry acids are:
    • Hydrochloric acid.
    • Sulfuric acid.
    • Phosphoric acid.
Brønsted-Lowry bases

Brønsted-Lowry bases

  • A Brønsted-Lowry base is a proton acceptor. This means that it accepts H+ ions in solutions. Examples of Brønsted-Lowry bases are:
    • Sodium hydroxide.
    • Potassium hydroxide.
    • Ammonia.
Acid/base equilibria

Acid/base equilibria

  • Brønsted-Lowry acids need something to give protons to - you don’t get free H+ ions.
  • When you add HCl to water, the water molecules act like a base and accept protons from the HCl. The equation is:
    • HCl + H2O → H3O+ + Cl
    • The H3O+ ion is called a ‘hydronium’ ion.
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1

Physical Chemistry

1.1

Atomic Structure

1.2

Amount of Substance

1.3

Bonding

1.4

Energetics

1.5

Kinetics

1.6

Equilibria

1.7

Redox

2

Physical Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)

3

Inorganic Chemistry

4

Inorganic Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)

5

Organic Chemistry 1

6

Organic Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)

6.1

Optical Isomerism (A2 Only)

6.2

Aldehydes & Ketones (A2 Only)

6.3

Carboxylic Acids & Esters (A2 Only)

6.4

Aromatic Chemistry (A2 Only)

6.5

Amines (A2 Only)

6.6

Polymers (A2 Only)

6.7

Biological Organic (A2 Only)

6.8

Organic Synthesis (A2 Only)

6.9

NMR Spectroscopy (A2 Only)

6.10

Chromatography (A2 Only)

6.11

A-A* (AO3/4) - Organic 2

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