College Chemistry : Lewis, Brønsted-Lowry, and Arrhenius Definitions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for College Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Lewis, Brønsted Lowry, And Arrhenius Definitions

Identify the Bronsted-Lowry acid in the following equation:

\(\displaystyle \text{H}_2\text{O}+\text{C}_3\text{H}_6\text{O}^-\rightarrow\text{OH}^-+\text{C}_3\text{H}_7\text{O}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \text{C}_3\text{H}_7\text{O}\)

\(\displaystyle \text{OH}^-\)

\(\displaystyle \text{H}_2\text{O}\)

\(\displaystyle \text{C}_3\text{H}_6\text{O}^-\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \text{H}_2\text{O}\)

Explanation:

Recall that a Bronsted-Lowry acid donates a proton. From the equation, we can see that \(\displaystyle \text{H}_2\text{O}\) becomes \(\displaystyle \text{OH}^-\), which it lost an \(\displaystyle \text{H}^+\), or a proton. Thus, water must be the Bronsted-Lowry acid.

Example Question #1 : Lewis, Brønsted Lowry, And Arrhenius Definitions

Identify the Lewis Base in the following reaction:

\(\displaystyle \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{SH}(aq)+\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{O}^-(aq)\rightleftharpoons \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{S}^-(aq)+\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{OH}(aq)\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{S}^-\)

\(\displaystyle \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{OH}\)

\(\displaystyle \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{O}^-\)

\(\displaystyle \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{SH}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{O}^-\)

Explanation:

Recall that a Lewis base accepts a proton, while a Lewis acid donates a proton. Looking at the equation, we can see that \(\displaystyle \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{O}^-\) becomes \(\displaystyle \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{OH}\). Since \(\displaystyle \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{O}^-\) accepted a proton, it must be the Lewis base.

Example Question #1 : Lewis, Brønsted Lowry, And Arrhenius Definitions

Which type of acid is defined by its ability to produce hydrogen ions in aqueous solution?

Possible Answers:

Bronsted-Lowry acid

Lewis acid

None of these

Arrhenius acid

Correct answer:

Arrhenius acid

Explanation:

There are three main definitions for acids and bases: the Lewis acids and bases, Bronsted-Lowry acids and bases, and Arrhenius acids and bases.

A Lewis acid is a species which can accept an electron pair from a donor. An example of a Lewis acid is \(\displaystyle Fe^{2+}\); as a cation, it can accept an electron pair. A Lewis base is a species which can donate an electron pair. An example of a Lewis base is \(\displaystyle OH^{-}\); as an anion, it can donate an electron pair.

A Bronsted-Lowry acid is a species which can donate a proton. An example of a Bronsted-Lowry acid is \(\displaystyle HCl\), which can donate its hydrogen ion. A Bronsted-Lowry base is a species which can accept a proton from a donor. An example of a Bronsted-Lowry base is \(\displaystyle OH^{-}\), which can accept a hydrogen ion in order to become water.

An Arrhenius acid is a species which releases hydrogen ions into solution. An example of an Arrhenius acid is \(\displaystyle HNO_{3}\). When this compound dissolves in aqueous solution, it produces \(\displaystyle H^{+}\) and \(\displaystyle NO_{3}^{-}\). An Arrhenius base is a species which releases hydroxide ions into solution. An example of an Arrhenius base is \(\displaystyle LiOH\). When this compound dissolves in aqueous solution, it produces \(\displaystyle Li^{+}\) and \(\displaystyle OH^{-}\).

Example Question #1 : Lewis, Brønsted Lowry, And Arrhenius Definitions

What is the pH of a \(\displaystyle 8M\) \(\displaystyle HCl\) solution?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle -.9\)

\(\displaystyle .9\)

\(\displaystyle 2.10\)

\(\displaystyle -1.10\)

\(\displaystyle 1.10\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle .9\)

Explanation:

PH is defined as \(\displaystyle -log_{10}${H+}\), where \(\displaystyle H+\) is hydronium concentration). In order to do this we simply take \(\displaystyle -log_{10}${8M}\):

\(\displaystyle pH=-log_{10}${concentration of H+}\)

=\(\displaystyle pH=-log_{10}${8M}=.9\)

Example Question #31 : Acid Base Reactions

\(\displaystyle \textrm{HClO}_{2}(aq)\textrm{ + H}_{2}\textrm{O}(l)\rightleftharpoons\textrm{ClO}_{2}\textrm{ }^{-}(aq)\textrm{ + H}_{3}\textrm{O}^{+}(aq)\)

 

According to the Brønsted-Lowry definition of acids and bases, which species in the reaction are acids?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O, ClO}_{2}^{-}\)

There are no acids in the reaction

\(\displaystyle \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O, H}_{3}\textrm{O}^{+}\)

\(\displaystyle \textrm{HClO}_{2}\textrm{, H}_{3}\textrm{O}^{+}\)

\(\displaystyle \textrm{HClO}_{2}\textrm{, ClO}_{2}^{-}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \textrm{HClO}_{2}\textrm{, H}_{3}\textrm{O}^{+}\)

Explanation:

Remember a Brønsted-Lowry acid is defined as a proton donor.

In the forward reaction, \(\displaystyle \textrm{HClO}_{2}\) is a proton donor. In the backward reaction, \(\displaystyle \textup{H}_3\textup{O}^+\) is the proton donor.

The acids in this reaction are \(\displaystyle \textrm{HClO}_{2}\) and \(\displaystyle \textup{H}_3\textup{O}^+\).

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