Theories of acids and bases
3 marks · EasyAmmonia reacts with hydrochloric acid to form ammonium chloride. Use the Bronsted-Lowry theory to explain this reaction.
State which reactant acts as the acid.
State which reactant acts as the base.
Explain your answers in terms of proton transfer.
Work this out on paper, then compare with the answer and worked solution below. With a free account you can submit written answers for marking.
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(a) Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
(b) Ammonia (NH_3)
(c) The acid donates a proton (H^+) and the base accepts it; HCl donates a proton to NH_3, forming NH_4^+.
Common mistakes: Mixing up acid and base
Show mark scheme and worked solution
Marking points
B1 (a) · 1 mark · Correctly identifies hydrochloric acid (HCl) as the acid.
B2 (b) · 1 mark · Correctly identifies ammonia (NH_3) as the base.
B3 (c) · 1 mark · Explains that HCl donates a proton to NH_3, which accepts it (proton transfer).
Worked solution
a) HCl is the acid.
b) NH_3 is the base.
c) According to the Bronsted-Lowry theory, HCl donates a proton (H^+) to NH_3, which accepts it and forms NH_4^+.