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#H_2O(l) + NH_3(aq) -> OH^(-) (aq) + NH_4^+(aq)# Why is ammonia a base in this reaction?

Answer 1

Naomi Aronson

It is the proton acceptor.

In the Bronsted-Lowry definition of acids and bases, acids are proton donors, and bases are the proton acceptors.

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Answer 2

Peyton Adams

Ammonia acts as a base in this reaction because it donates a lone pair of electrons from its nitrogen atom to a proton (H⁺ ion) from water, forming the ammonium ion (NH₄⁺) and hydroxide ion (OH⁻). This donation of electrons from ammonia to the proton results in the formation of a stronger bond between the nitrogen atom and the proton, indicating the basic nature of ammonia in this reaction.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

#H_2O(l) + NH_3(aq) -&gt; OH^(-) (aq) + NH_4^+(aq)# Why is ammonia a base in this reaction?

#H_2O(l) + NH_3(aq) -> OH^(-) (aq) + NH_4^+(aq)# Why is ammonia a base in this reaction?