Considering the Bronsted-Lowry definition of acids and bases, identify each of the following compounds as to?

Question

their ability to act as an acid, a base, neither or both!

HCl

NaOH

NH3

H2SO4

CO3-2

NaCl

CN-

H2CO3

Answer 1

According to the Bronsted-Lowry definition an acid donates protons (H+) and bases accept (H+). So looking at these

HCl + H2O <--> H3O+ + Cl- (acid)

NaOH --> Na+ + OH-

OH- + H2O <--> H2O + OH- (base)

NH3 + H2O <--> NH4 + OH- (base)

or

NH3 + H2O <--> H3O+ + NH2 (acid)

H2SO4 + H2O <--> H3O+ + HSO4 (acid)

CO3^-2 + H2O <--> H2CO3 + OH- (base)

NaCl --> Na+ + Cl-

Cl- + H2O <--> HCl + OH- (base)

CN- + H2O <--> HCN + OH- (base)

H2CO3 + H2O <--> H3O+ + HCO3- (acid)