Brønsted-Lowry Acid Definition:

A Bronsted-Lowry acid is a compound that serves as a proton(H⁺) donor.

Brønsted-Lowry Acid Explained:

In a Bronsted-Lowry Acid, the compound is able to donate a proton, usually a Hydrogen (H+).

When we talk about the Bronsted-Lowry reactions, it’s important to think conjugates.

• A strong acid will have a weak conjugate base
• A weak acid will have a strong conjugate base

There are several lists that denote which acids are strong and which are weak. It’s important to know these, especially when more complex reactions are taking place.

Note: In the above example we have shown the water to be a Bronsted-Lowry base. However, this is not always the case. In certain reactions, water may also act as a Bronsted-Lowry acid.