Question

In the reaction: HCl(g) + NH3(aq) → NH4 +(aq) + Cl- (aq), HCl(g) is acting as a(n):
A. Brønsted-Lowry acid.
B. Brønsted-Lowry base.
C. Lewis acid.
D. Lewis base.

Answer 1

i think its (C)

Answer 2

or (B)

Answer 3

lets think a bit about it...
HCl is a proton donor so it is an acid which becomes Cl- or conjugated base
NH3 accepts that proton so it is proton acceptor and becomes conjugated acid
right?

Answer 4

yeah

Answer 5

so what is a Brønsted-Lowry acid and what is Brønsted-Lowry base?

Answer 6

Acid: anything that releases H¹⁺ ions
Base: is defined as anything that accepts H1+ ions

Answer 7

so what in this case releases H+ ions and what accepts that ion?

Answer 8

HCL releases and NH4 accepts?

Answer 9

so what is HCl according to Bronsted-Lowry theory?

Answer 10

an acid

Answer 11

and now lets do same thing for lewis acid and base
so what is according to this theory an acid and what is an base?

Answer 12

in the equation?

Answer 13

first tell me definition what is lewis acid and what is lewis base

Answer 14

acid:A Lewis acid is any substance, such as the H+ ion, that can accept a pair of nonbonding electrons.
base: any substance capable of forming a covalent bond with an acid by transferring a pair of electrons to it.

Answer 15

and now tell me what in this case accepts pair of nonbonding electron? and what forms a covalent bond with an acid by transfering a pair of electrons to it?

Answer 16

in the equation?

Answer 17

yes reaction equation

Answer 18

NH3 & Cl- ?

Answer 19

can NH3 accept pair of nonbonding electrons or does it accept a proton?

Answer 20

lets focus back to HCl in order for HCl to be lewis acid HCl needs to accept electrons, and does it accept electrons? nope it does not. and in order for it to be lewis base HCl needs to donate electrons, and does it donate electrons? nope it does not, it donates a proton right? so only possible answer from what you got there on the list is?

Answer 21

A?

Answer 22

id say so