Question

Identify the base and conjugate acid pair in the following equation: HF + H 2 O >

H 3 O + + F -

Answer 1

Here's what I get.

Step-by-step explanation:

An acid is a proton donor; a base is a proton acceptor.

Thus, HF is the acid and H₂O is the base.

The conjugate base is what's left after the acid has given up its proton.

The conjugate acid is what's formed when the base has accepted a proton.

HF/F⁻ make one conjugate acid/base pair, and H₂O/H₃O⁺ are the other conjugate acid/base pair.

`\rm \underbrace{\hbox{HF}}_{\hbox{acid}} + \underbrace{\hbox{H_(2)\rm O}}_{\hbox{base}} \rightleftharpoons \underbrace{\hbox{H_(3)\rm O^(+)}}_{\hbox{conj. acid}} +\underbrace{\hbox{F^(-)}}_{\hbox{conj. base}}`