Which one of the following is a conjugate acid base pair?
NaF & F-
NH4+ & NH2-
HNO3 & HNO2
H2O & H2O2
HI & I-
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct conjugate acid-base pair from the given options is NH4+ & NH3-.
Explanation:
In acid-base chemistry, a conjugate acid-base pair refers to two substances related by the loss or gain of a proton (H+). When an acid donates a proton, the substance that remains is its conjugate base. Conversely, when a base accepts a proton, the resulting substance is its conjugate acid.
Let’s examine the pairs:
- NaF & F-:
- NaF is a salt, and F- is the fluoride ion. The fluoride ion, F-, is the conjugate base of HF (hydrofluoric acid). However, NaF is not an acid, so this is not a conjugate acid-base pair.
- NH4+ & NH3-:
- NH4+ (ammonium ion) is the conjugate acid of NH3 (ammonia). NH3 is a base because it can accept a proton, while NH4+ is an acid because it can donate a proton to form NH3. This is a correct conjugate acid-base pair.
- HNO3 & HNO2:
- HNO3 (nitric acid) and HNO2 (nitrous acid) are both acids but are not conjugate acid-base pairs because they are different acids, and neither can convert into the other through the simple gain or loss of a proton.
- H2O & H2O2:
- H2O (water) and H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) are not a conjugate acid-base pair. H2O is neutral, and H2O2 is an oxidizing agent, but they don’t interconvert through proton transfer.
- HI & I-:
- HI (hydroiodic acid) and I- (iodide ion) are a conjugate acid-base pair. HI is a strong acid, and I- is the conjugate base of HI. This is a valid conjugate acid-base pair.
Conclusion:
The correct conjugate acid-base pair from the provided options is NH4+ & NH3-. This pair demonstrates the typical behavior of an acid donating a proton to become a base.
Let me generate an image of this concept.
Here is an illustration of a conjugate acid-base pair, showing the transfer of a proton from NH4+ (ammonium) to form NH3 (ammonia). This demonstrates the relationship between the acid and its conjugate base. Let me know if you’d like any more details or another visual!
