What actually changes when an acid reacts with a base?
In Brønsted-Lowry theory, the central event is transfer of a proton between chemical species.
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Quick story · start here
In Brønsted-Lowry theory, the central event is transfer of a proton between chemical species.
Scene
See the scene
When an acid donates a proton, the species left behind is its conjugate base. When a base accepts a proton, it becomes its conjugate acid.
Many acid-base reactions are reversible, so their direction and composition are naturally connected to chemical equilibrium.
Idea
Now name the idea
A Brønsted acid is a proton donor and a Brønsted base is a proton acceptor. Proton transfer produces conjugate acid-base partners.
Why
Why it matters
The thermodynamic definition of pH is based on hydrogen-ion activity. Concentration-based expressions are useful approximations under conditions where activity effects are adequately controlled or modeled.