Concepts
Home Preliminary Information Precautions Properties of Acids and Bases Concepts Formation of Acids and Bases Recognizing Formulas pH and Kw Wrap-Up

 


Arrhenius Concept
Bronsted-Lowry Concept
Lewis Concept
Comparing the Concepts

Concepts

Conceptual Definitions of Acids and Bases

What is it about all the different acids that makes them have so many properties in common?

What is the underlying nature of acids?

What is it that makes them do what they do?

We can ask the same questions about all the different bases, also.

To consider these things we have to use a conceptual approach and come up with some conceptual definitions.

We will deal with three conceptual definitions of acids and bases. They are the Arrhenius, Brønsted-Lowry, and Lewis concepts. Each one has its own merits and disadvantages. Each one provides a perspective on the nature of acids and bases that the others do not. Certain properties of acids and bases are best explained using different concepts. Because of this, those properties will be discussed along with the appropriate concept.

 

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Clackamas Community College E-mail instructor: Eden Francis 
Physical Science
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