Brønsted acid

A Brønsted acid is a substance that donates protons (hydrogen ions, H⁺) to other substances during a chemical reaction. This concept helps us understand how acids behave in solutions, especially in water. For example, when you add vinegar (which contains acetic acid) to water, the acetic acid releases H⁺ ions, making the solution acidic. The focus is on the transfer of protons: acids provide these protons, and bases accept them. This idea is fundamental in chemistry for explaining reactions involving acids and bases, and it applies broadly across different types of chemical processes.