Which substance acts as an acid in the Brønsted–Lowry sense?

Prepare for the Plovdiv Entrance Exam. Equip yourself with comprehensive study materials, including multiple choice questions and flashcards. Ensure success in your examination!

Multiple Choice

Which substance acts as an acid in the Brønsted–Lowry sense?

Explanation:
In Brønsted–Lowry theory, an acid is any substance that donates a proton (H+). The bisulfate ion does exactly that: it can release a proton to form sulfate, giving HSO4− → SO4^2− + H+. This makes it an acid in this sense. The acetate ion is the conjugate base of acetic acid, so it tends to accept a proton to become acetic acid rather than donate one. Ammonia acts as a base, accepting a proton to form ammonium. Water is amphoteric and can act as either acid or base depending on the partner, but among these options, bisulfate clearly donates a proton, which is the defining trait of the Brønsted–Lowry acid in this context.

In Brønsted–Lowry theory, an acid is any substance that donates a proton (H+). The bisulfate ion does exactly that: it can release a proton to form sulfate, giving HSO4− → SO4^2− + H+. This makes it an acid in this sense.

The acetate ion is the conjugate base of acetic acid, so it tends to accept a proton to become acetic acid rather than donate one. Ammonia acts as a base, accepting a proton to form ammonium. Water is amphoteric and can act as either acid or base depending on the partner, but among these options, bisulfate clearly donates a proton, which is the defining trait of the Brønsted–Lowry acid in this context.

More practice questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy