CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

I am confused on how to identify an acid from a base and when it is best for it to gain/ get rid of its proton? Thank you.

Looking at the Bronsted-Lowry definition, we can regard those that donate or lose protons as acids, and those that accept protons as bases.

Acids generally have an H+ in their chemical formula (e.g. HCl, HNO3, HClO4, NH4+ etc.)
Bases usually have an OH- in their chemical formula (e.g. NaOH, KOH etc.)

Arrhenius acids form H+ in water bases form OH
Lewis Definition regards electrons and if they accept them its an acid, if they donate electrons its a base
Bronsted definition regards donating protons are acids and those that accept protons are bases