HA
A⁻⁻
Acid-base reactions are often defined by the transfer of protons.
Bronsted-Lowry Definition
Through the Bronsted-Lowry definition, an acid is a substance that can donate protons. On the other hand, a base is a substance that can accept protons. When an acid and base react, the acid transfers a proton to the base. The reaction creates a conjugate acid and base.
A conjugate acid is the substance created when a base accepts a proton, and a conjugate base is the substance created when an acid donates a proton.
Writing Bronsted-Lowry Acids and Bases
A Bronsted-Lowry acid is written as HA. The H represents a hydrogen cation, which is another way to describe a proton. The A represents some other atom or ion. The H is what is donated in a reaction.
A Bronsted-Lowry base is written as A⁻. This represents the atom or ion without the attached proton. In a reaction, A will accept a proton.
