Question

Which of the following shows a Bronsted-Lowry acid reacting?
CO + NO2 Right arrow. CO2 + NO
NH3 + H+ Right arrow. NH4+
Upper C upper O subscript 3 superscript 2 minus.+ H+ Right arrow. HCO3–
HCl + H2O Right arrow. H3O+ + Cl–

Answer 1

Brønsted–Lowry acids are species that donate a proton (H+). Which equations show proton transfer?

- CO + NO2 → CO2 + NO: No proton transfer — not Brønsted–Lowry.
- NH3 + H+ → NH4+: Proton (H+) is donated/accepted — yes (H+ is the acid).
- CO3^2– + H+ → HCO3–: Proton transfer — yes (H+ is the acid).
- HCl + H2O → H3O+ + Cl–: HCl donates a proton to H2O — yes (HCl is the acid).

So the 2nd, 3rd and 4th equations show a Brønsted–Lowry acid reacting.