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Identify the conjugate acid-base pair(s) for the reaction: NH₃(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇌ NH₄⁺+(aq) + OH⁻(aq)?

1) NH₃ and NH₄⁺+
2) H₂O and OH⁻
3) NH₃ and OH⁻
4) H₂O and NH₄⁺+

User Hermeslm
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Final answer:

The conjugate acid-base pairs for the reaction NH₃(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇌ NH₄⁺+(aq) + OH⁻(aq) are NH₃ and NH₄⁺+, and H₂O and OH⁻. NH₃ is the base that accepts a proton, forming its conjugate acid NH₄⁺+, while H₂O donates a proton, forming its conjugate base OH⁻.

Step-by-step explanation:

The conjugate acid-base pairs in the reaction NH₃(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇌ NH₄⁺+(aq) + OH⁻(aq) are identified by determining which substances donate and accept protons. The substance that donates a proton is the acid, and its conjugate base is what remains after the proton is removed. Conversely, the substance that accepts a proton is the base, and its conjugate acid is formed when the proton is added.

In this reaction:



NH₃ acts as a base by accepting a proton from H₂O, which acts as an acid. The reaction forms the conjugate acid NH₄⁺+ and the conjugate base OH⁻.

User Mike Schmidt
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