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Michael Kadish
5/1/95
.5
The difference between the three acid-base theories, the Arrhenius theory and the two Brínsted-Lowry theories, is simply point of view. All three basically mean the same thing, and there is little gray area to their aspects. The Brínsted-Lowry theory says that an acid donates a proton, with the base accepting. However, the Arrhenius theory says that an acid is the substance with a hydrogen posotive ion donor, while a base releases negative ions. Since a hydrogen ion either way is a pure, available proton or electron, this is a repeat of the former. The third theory is more on the the Brínsted-Lowry. It states that they can be formed reversibly. However, they might as well keep it as one of the first two. The definition goes on to say that the difference is one hydrogen ion.