Lewis, Brønsted-Lowry, and Arrhenius Definitions

Practice Questions

GRE Subject Test: Chemistry › Lewis, Brønsted-Lowry, and Arrhenius Definitions

Questions
4
1

What is the definition of a Brønsted-Lowry base?

2

Acids and bases can be described in three principal ways. The Arrhenius definition is the most restrictive. It limits acids and bases to species that donate protons and hydroxide ions in solution, respectively. Examples of such acids include HCl and HBr, while KOH and NaOH are examples of bases. When in aqueous solution, these acids proceed to an equilibrium state through a dissociation reaction.

All of the bases proceed in a similar fashion.

The Brønsted-Lowry definition of an acid is a more inclusive approach. All Arrhenius acids and bases are also Brønsted-Lowry acids and bases, but the converse is not true. Brønsted-Lowry acids still reach equilibrium through the same dissociation reaction as Arrhenius acids, but the acid character is defined by different parameters. The Brønsted-Lowry definition considers bases to be hydroxide donors, like the Arrhenius definition, but also includes conjugate bases such as the A- in the above reaction. In the reverse reaction, A- accepts the proton to regenerate HA. The Brønsted-Lowry definition thus defines bases as proton acceptors, and acids as proton donors.

In the reverse reaction of , the proton is acting as a(n) __________, and is thus a __________.

3

Which of the following is not a strong electrophile?

4

Which of the following molecules or ions have the greatest ability to act like a Lewis acid?

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