How can I tell if a compound is an acid or a base? What properties make a compound an acid or base?

Question

aaronq · Answer

acids have ionizable protons while bases have a lone-pair of electrons that can be used to form a bond with a proton.

anonymous · Answer

Im in chem 1411. In layman's terms?

aaronq · Answer

acids have a hydrogen atom that can be removed, bases can accept a hydrogen atom.

Though it's incorrect to say hydrogen atom since it's only a hydrogen nucleus that is being removed or accepted, so it's really just a proton.

aaronq · Answer

Acid    $HA\rightarrow H^++A^-$

Base   $ H^++A^-\rightarrow HA$

anonymous · Answer

Thanks!

aaronq · Answer

no problem !