This page is specifically designed to go with Chapter 19: Acids and Bases of the Chemistry Matter and Change Textbook. However, it will help most people taking high school chemistry or an intro to chemistry course in college. If you have any ideas on how to make it better, please e-mail Marci@RegalLessons.com.
Identifying Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs
Scenario 1: Positive Ion & Negative Ion
One of the ions is positive and the other ion is negative:
- positive ion + negative ion
- negative ion + positive ion
Conjugate Acid or Conjugate Base?
- positive ion = acid or conjugate acid
- negative ion = base or conjugate base.
Scenario 2: Positive Ion & Negative Ion
The charge of one molecule is neutral, both ions are positive, or both ions are negative:
- positive ion + neutral
- neutral + positive ion
- negative ion + neutral
- neutral + negative ion
- positive ion + positive ion
- negative ion + negative ion
Conjugate Acid or Conjugate Base?
- H with a polyatomic ion = acid or conjugate acid
- polyatomic ion with OH = base or conjugate base
- H with a single element = acid or conjugate acid
- a single element with OH = base or conjugate base
Scenario 3: Neutral Ion & Neutral Ion
Both molecules are neutral:
- neutral + neutral
Conjugate Acid or Conjugate Base?
- molecule that receives the H is a conjugate acid
- molecule that receives and OH is a conjugate base
Ionization Constant (K)
K = [Conjugate Acid] [Conjugate Base] ÷ [Acid] [Base]
If water is one of the molecules, you can ignore it because it’s neutral.
Ka = acid ionization constant. In this case, you add water to an acid.
Kb = base ionization constant. In this case, you add water to a base.
More Resources for Acids and Bases
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