How can you identify conjugate acid and base pairs?

1 Answer
Aug 20, 2016

See this old answer.

Explanation:

The conjugate base of any acid is simply the parent acid LESS a proton, #H^+#. As with all chemical reactions, both mass and charge are conserved. The conjugate base of #H_2SO_4# is thus bisulfate anion, #HSO_4^-#, and the conjugate baseof bisulfate is sulfate dianion, #SO_4^(2-)#. For assignment of conjugate acid/base pairs all you are doing is simply adding or substracting a proton, #H^+#.

What is the conjugate acid of ammonia, #NH_3#? What is its conjugate base?