Answer to Question #126801 in General Chemistry for Andile

Question

During the reaction of ammonia and water as shown below:

NH3(aq) + H2O(l) → NH4+(aq) + H3O+(aq)

Does NH3 acts as a base or acid?

Answer 1

NH3 is a weak base according to the Bronsted-Lowry theory and the Lewis theory, because nitrogen has a lone electron pair that can attract a hydrogen cation to form an ammonium ion.