Answer to Question #313933 in General Chemistry for Yusuf

Question

a) Describe in detail the concept of conjugate acid-base pairs using the equation below to illustrate your answer. [4 marks] H3PO4 + NaOH→ NaH2PO4 + H2O (b) To ascertain the purity of an active ingredient X, an aqueous solution of X needs to be titrated against 0.50 M HCl. What should be the pH of an aqueous solution of 0.50 M HCl? [3 marks]

Answer 1

An acid-base pair which differ by one proton is called conjugate acid base pair. In the above example H2O/OH- and NH+4/NH3 are conjugate acid base pairs. A strong acid would have large tendency to donate proton. Thus conjugate base of a strong acid would be a weak base.