What is the difference between Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry and Lewis acids and bases? How can you tell the difference?

Now this is seriously complicated.

To begin with, according to the Arrhenius theory, an acid is a substance that releases H+ ions in water, while a base is a substance that releases OH- ions in water. The whole principle of neutralisation was devised by Svante Arrhenius. An Arrhenius Acid is Hydrochloric acid, while an Arrhenius base is Potassium Hydroxide.

The Bronsted-Lowry definition is as follows- A Bronsted-Lowry acid is a proton donor. A Bronsted-Lowry base is a proton acceptor. For example, NH3+H2O---> NH4+ + OH- So, the NH3 accepts a H+ ion (proton), and is a base, while water here is a Bronsted-Lowry acid. HCl+H2O---> H3O+ + Cl- Here, H2O accepts a proton, so its a Bronsted-Lowry base, while water is a Bronsted-Lowry acid. So, as water acts both as an acid and a base, it is amphoteric. The theory also explains why NH3 (ammonia) is a base.

Lastly, a Lewis acid is an electron pair acceptor, and a Lewis base is an electron pair donor. For example: BeCl2 + 2Cl- ----> (BeCl4) 2- So the 2Cl- donates electrons to BeCl2, as it has extra electrons, since it is an anion. Hence, 2Cl- is a Lewis base, while BeCl2 is a Lewis acid.