Question #25981

1 Answer
May 16, 2017

I think you are on the right track...........

Explanation:

The conjugate base of an acid is simply the original acid LESS a proton, #H^+#. And likewise the conjugate acid of a base is the original base PLUS a proton. As with any chemical process, both mass and charge are conserved.

So for #a.# we have the acid #NH_4^+#, whose conjugate base is #NH_3#. And we have the base, #""^(-)C-=N#, whose conjugate acid is #HC-=N#.

And for #b.# we have the acid #HCl(aq)#, whose conjugate base is #Cl^-#. And we have the base, #CO_3^(2-)#, whose conjugate acid is #HCO_3^-#, #"bicarbonate ion"#.

And for #c.# we have the acid #HCl#, whose conjugate base we have already identified.

Note that all I have done here is to add (conjugate acid) or subtract (conjugate base) a proton, and conserved charge.

For water, #H_2O#, the conjugate acid is #H_3O^+#, #"hydronium ion"#. Its conjugate base is #HO^-#, #"hydroxide ion"#. And the conjugate base of #HO^(-)-=O^(2-)#.

And if we go to ammonia as a SOLVENT, we can invoke equivalent conjugate acid/base pairs for #NH_4^+#, and #NH_2^(-)# (this amide base is TOO BASIC to exist in water).

Confused yet?

And see here and links.