Acid and Base Definitions | Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis

What is the definition of an Arrhenius acid or a Lewis base or even a Bronsted-Lowry acid or base? The answer awaits you.

Thanks for stopping by, this is 2 minute classroom and today we are going a little deeper into acids and bases by looking at three different definitions. Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis.

The arrhenius definition is the probably the most familiar to you. An arrhenius acid is a molecule that will donate a hydrogen ion (or proton) when dissolved in water. We call it a proton because a typical hydrogen atom has only one proton and one electron, so if you make it a cation by removing the electron, all you have is a proton.

An arrhenius base is a molecule that will produce a hydroxide ion when dissolved in water.

So, the acid provides a proton, and the base provides a hydroxide. However, this is only when dissolved in water.

That’s where the other definitions come in.

With the Bronsted-Lowry definition, we only refer to what happens to the hydrogen ion or proton. So the acid is a proton donor, much like an arrhenius acid, but the base is defined as a proton acceptor. So if there if a compound will bond a free proton, it is a Bronsted-Lowry base. And unlike Arrhenius acids and bases, this doesn’t have to be in water.

The Lewis definition of acids and bases dives into organic chemistry looking at the electrons of each atom. So a Lewis acid is a molecule that will accept a pair of electrons while a Lewis base is a molecule that donates a pair of electrons.

It’s important to note that these definitions are just different ways to look at and understand acids and bases. Just because a compound can be defined as an arrhenius acid, for example, doesn’t mean it can’t also be defined as a Bronsted-Lowry or Lewis acid.

I hope this video helped you understand these different definitions a little better. If you want to know more about the properties of acids and bases you can watch my acids and bases video.

If you have any questions throw them in the comments, and I’ll catch you next time.

[smokeywick]

Thanks for not talking too fast, presenting information incrementally, and not having distracting background music. You know your audience well. Haha!

[Daniel_He]

By far the best video for highlighting the difference between the two, especially in terms of equation

[gaurav_tiwari_]

Hi ! Can you make a separate video on Conjugate acids and base. I know the concept but some of the compounds are tricky. Like boric acid. It was asked in my exam and I simply removed a H+ ion instead of adding OH negative.

[Dazzletoad]

Straight to the point, very well explained, and incredibly useful. Thank you so much, I share the sentiments of other viewers also that you haven't littered your video with annoying music, and you didn't need to feel the need to jumpscare, rappel, or cartwheel your way into your video.

Thanks :D

[creativeminds]

Thank you so much this is exactly what i was finding, and you cleared my doubt without me wasting any time

[selamatesfamariam]

Hey, Happy teachers day! Could you please make a video about alpha and beta linkages, what the differences are..etc?

[xelashawn]

Keeping it short and sweet, i love it!

[shwetagupta]

Thank you so much ✅✅✅
please upload videos of example of all acids

[tr.buuvibrian]

This has been very clear to solve my confusion since I joined campus.
Thanks

[k_ing_killa]

Please make a playlist off of macromolecules

[muhammadazeemmohsin]

The explanation is really good but if you had given the examples of each theory, it definitely helped more.

[n.abigailezung]

Can you please explain why Arrhenius base cannot behave as bronsted base?

[toothfairy]

Why are you removing the electron to make Hydrogen a cation? Is this an intentional act to create a Hydrogen ion or is this the result of the natural reaction? Sorry this part confuses me

[lochankandimalla]

What are the examples of arrhenius theory an Lewis theory

[userr_aa]

When to use either acid catalyst or lewis acid? Anyone?

[atishagrawal]

it is vary fast minimum 5minute should be there

[miansaib]

Find me the answer of this question
Write names of compounds which cannot be classified as Arrhenius acid and base.