According to the Brønsted-Lowry theory, what role do acids play in chemical reactions?

In the Brønsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases, acids are defined specifically as proton donors. This means that during a chemical reaction, an acid will release a hydrogen ion (often represented as H⁺) into the solution. This transfer of a proton is what distinguishes acids from bases in this framework.

When an acid donates a proton, it often results in the formation of its conjugate base, which is the species that remains after the proton is donated. This movement of protons is fundamental to understanding acid-base chemistry, as it allows for the characterization of various substances in terms of their behaving either as acids or bases.

In contrast, bases, according to the Brønsted-Lowry theory, are proton acceptors. Accepting a proton leads to the formation of the conjugate acid. Therefore, in the context of this theory, recognizing acids as proton donors is essential to the study of acid-base reactions and the overall behavior of these substances in chemical processes.