How do you identify conjugate acid base pairs?

1 Answer
BRIAN M.
May 11, 2014

Let us take the example of Bicarbonate being placed in water to create Carbonic Acid and Hydronium ions.

#HCO_3^(-) + H_2O -> H_2CO_3 + OH^-#
#Base + Acid -> Conj A + Conj B#

On the reactant side of the equation the water (#H_2O#) is the Acid as it is the hydrogen ion donor to the bicarbonate (#HCO_3^-#) which is the Base as it receives the hydrogen ion..

On the product side the Carbonic Acid (#H_2CO_3#) is the Conjugate Acid as it is the hydrogen donor to the Conjugate Base (#OH^-#) as it receives the hydrogen ion.

#HCO_3^(-) -> H_2CO_3 #
#Base -> Conj A#
The Carbonic Acid (#H_2CO_3#) is the Conjugate Acid pair to the Base bicarbonate (#HCO_3^-#) .

#H_2O -> OH^-#
#Acid -> Conj B#

The Hydroxide (#OH^-#) is the Conjugate Base pair to the Water (H_2O#).

I hope this was helpful.
SMARTERTEACHER

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