Brønsted-Lowry theory is a theory on acids and bases. In many reactions a H+, which is simply a proton, is transferred from one species to another. According to Brønsted-Lowry theory, the species that donates the H+ is an acid; the one that accepts the H+ is a base.
eg. 1:
In this reaction,
HCl donates a H+ to water and, therefore, acts as an acid.
Water accepts a H+ from HCl and, therefore, acts as a base.
In the reverse reaction, Cl¯ acts as a base and H3O+ acts as an acid.
When HCl acts as an acid, it becomes Cl¯, which is a base and is called the conjugate base of HCl. When water acts as a base, it becomes H3O+, which is an acid and is called the conjugate acid of water.
eg. 2:
see also acid strength, acid dissociation constant, Lewis theory
