Acids, Bases & Protons (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (Modular))

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Acids, bases & protons

Proton transfer

  • The earlier definition of an acid and a base can be extended

  • In terms of proton transfer, we can further define each substance in how they interact with protons

Acids

  • Acids are proton donors as they ionize in solution producing protons, H+ ions

  • These H+ ions make the aqueous solution acidic

  • Example: hydrochloric acid

HCl (aq)   →    H+ (aq)    +    Cl (aq)

Bases (Alkalis)

  • Bases (alkalis) are proton acceptors as they ionize in solution producing OH- ions which can accept protons

  • These OH- ions make the aqueous solution alkaline

  • Example: sodium hydroxide

NaOH (s)   →    Na+ (aq)    +    OH (aq)

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