Differences between theories

[Malia Gutierrez 1K]

I am still kind of confused about what is the main difference between the Arrhenius theory of acids and bases and the Brønsted–Lowry theory of acids and bases.

[Anne Cam 3A]

According to the Arrhenius theory, acids produce H+ ions in solution while bases produce OH- ions in solution.

For the Bronsted-Lowry theory, acids donate protons while bases accept protons.

But for compounds like NaOH, the Arrhenius theory would be more relevant because it dissociates to form Na+ and OH-. You would only use the Bronsted-Lowry theory to state that NaOH provides the Bronsted base OH- (because OH- is the molecule accepting protons, not NaOH as a whole).