2007-09-27 15:39:36 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
One definition of an acid is a proton donor or hydrogen ion because it only contains one proton. One definition of a base is that it is a proton acceptor. Hydroxyl ions have a negative charge on the oxygen atom so they want to accept the proton and therefore are bases. That is the Bronsted-Lowery definiton. The Lewis definition deals with losing electrons.
2007-09-27 15:45:57 · answer #1 · answered by premed student 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scientists struggled to find the common factors of what makes something an acid or a base. A Swedish chemist in the early 1900's (Arrhenius) came up with the classification that all acids have hydrogen ions (HCl, HNO3) and all bases have hydroxide ions (NaOH, KOH).
This theory was improved upon a few years later, but it is mostly correct.
2007-09-27 22:43:36 · answer #2 · answered by reb1240 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im not doing your homework for you... listen in class will ya!
2007-09-27 22:43:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋