Chemistry / Unit 10 Chem 1802 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Brønsted-Lowry Acid-Base Definition
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The idea
The Brønsted-Lowry definition names an acid as a proton donor and a base as a proton acceptor, applying to any reaction, not only water.
In practice
Ammonia accepts a proton from water, NH3 + H2O ⇌ NH4+ + OH−, a Brønsted-Lowry base though it releases no OH− directly.
Where people slip
Arrhenius classifies only substances acting in water; Brønsted-Lowry classifies the same transfer in any solvent.
Your place on the trail
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Builds on
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