Need help understanding acids and bases

[Helix-Oxford]

How can the definition of an acid be "something that donates protons" when protons don't move.

Also, why does having an extra hydrogen atom make an acid an acid and vice versa with hydroxide and bases.

Finally, what does it mean when an acid increases the H+ concentration in a solution?

 

Thanks in Advance!

Edited February 27, 2016 by Helix-Oxford

[EdEarl]

What makes you think protons don't move; pretty much everything is in constant motion.

 

Hydrogen contains one proton; thus, an increase in hydrogen is an increase in protons.

 

Bases contain OH radicals, which combine with an acid (can be dangerous to combine them) to make HOH = water and often a salt, for example HCl + NaOH makes HOH and NaCl = table salt. This reaction produces heat and can boil violently splashing reagents; in other words, it can be dangerous don't do it at home.

[Helix-Oxford]

Okay, I see. I was confused because I was told that it was the electrons that do the "moving" during covalent and ionic bonds.

 

Also, sorry if I sound annoying but, what does an increase in protons have to do acids and the like? Do acids exchange their extra proton the somehow receive to a base?

[EdEarl]

The protons (H+) move during the chemical reaction. In the example, (HCl and NaOH), the H+ of HCl moves to the OH- making HOH and the Na+ moves to the Cl- to make NaCl. The electrons also participate, to make the H2O and NaCl molecules electrically neutral overall; although, many molecules are more positive in some directions around the nucleus and more negative in others. The protons are tied up in the center of atoms and electron clouds surround them.

[hypervalent_iodine]

The dissociation of an acid in water can be described as follows:

 

H-A --> H⁺ + A^-

 

The reaction exists as an equilibrium for weak acids. The more acidic something is, the more the equilibrium favors the products, or in other words, the more H⁺ there is in solution. For strong acids, the dissociation goes to completion.

 

 

The protons (H+) move during the chemical reaction. In the example, (HCl and NaOH), the H+ of HCl moves to the OH- making HOH and the Na+ moves to the Cl- to make NaCl. The electrons also participate, to make the H2O and NaCl molecules electrically neutral overall; although, many molecules are more positive in some directions around the nucleus and more negative in others. The protons are tied up in the center of atoms and electron clouds surround them.

 

 

This is a little inaccurate. It is the electrons that 'move' to break old bonds and create new ones.

[EdEarl]

Yes, TY

[Helix-Oxford]

Okay, I see now. It makes more sense. Thanks!