Question

In the following reaction, which substance is acting as the Bronsted-Lowry acid?

NH3 + H2O ----> NH4(+) = OH(-)

NH3

H2O

NH4(+)

OH(-)

Answer 1

use the definition you used from the last question

Answer 2

is it A ?

Answer 3

a B-L acid has to give away a proton. If \(NH_3\) were to give away a proton, would it form \(NH_4^+\)?

Answer 4

no it wouldn't

Answer 5

so which of those reactant options would give away a H+ ion to form one of the products?

Answer 6

OH ?? im not sure

Answer 7

which reactant gives away a proton?

Answer 8

H2O ? @JFraser

Answer 9

it is water. When \(H_2O\) gives away a proton, it forms the hydroxide ion \(OH^{-1}\). That makes water the B-L acid for this reaction. It also means that \(NH_3\) is the B-L base for this reaction.

Answer 10

ok thanks for the help again

Answer 11

yw