Question detail
Identify the conjugate acid-base pair in the following reaction: NH3 + H2O ⇌ NH4+ + OH-.
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Acids and bases (A-level only)
Question
Identify the conjugate acid-base pair in the following reaction: NH3 + H2O ⇌ NH4+ + OH-.
Answer
The conjugate acid-base pair is NH4+ (the conjugate acid) and NH3 (the base).
Explanation
This answer is strong because it correctly identifies the conjugate acid (NH4+) formed from the base (NH3) after accepting a proton from water. The question tests the student's understanding of conjugate acid-base pairs in the context of Brønsted-Lowry theory.
Common mistake
Identifying Conjugate Pairs
Students often confuse conjugate acid-base pairs by misidentifying the acid and its conjugate base or vice versa.
To correctly identify conjugate acid-base pairs, remember that a conjugate acid is formed when a base gains a proton (H⁺), and a conjugate base is formed when an acid loses a proton. For example, in the reaction HCl + H₂O ⇌ Cl⁻ + H₃O⁺, HCl is the acid and Cl⁻ is its conjugate base, while H₂O is the base and H₃O⁺ is its conjugate acid.
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