ABSTRACT

M a n y substance s i n solutio n hav e th e capabilit y o f releasin g o r absorbin g pro -

tons. Accordin g to th e classi c Br ousted definition , acids ar e those substance s tha t

release proton s an d bases (alkalis ) are those tha t accep t protons . T h u s , aceti c aci d

is a n acid , bu t acetat e i s a base . A m m o n i u m io n ( N H 4 + ) i s a n acid , wherea s

ammonia ( N H 3 ) i s a base . W h e n a n aci d lose s it s proton , it s conjugate base i s

formed, wherea s w h e n a base gain s protons , it s conjugat e aci d is generated .