In the reaction #CH_3COOH + H_2O rightleftharpoons CH_3COO^(-) + H_2O#, what is a conjugate acid-base pair?

1 Answer
Apr 24, 2018

#CH_3COOH# and #CH_3COO^-#
#H_2O# and #H_3O^+#

Explanation:

So

the #CH_3COOH# is a acid

the #CH_3COOH# lost the hydrogen on the end so its the acid by the Bronsted Lowry Definition of acids

the #CH_3COO^-# is the conjugate base as in the reverse reaction, it would have to pick up #H^+# to form acetic acid again

The #H_2O# is an base (on the left), as it accepts the hydrogen ion that the acetic acid lost
(on the right side, it should be a #H_3O^+# instead)
The #H_3O^+# is a conjugate acid, as it would have to lose the #H^+# to revert to #H_2O#

:)