Question

Select the conjugate acid-base pair(s). a) HI, I b) HCHO2, SO4^2- c) CO3^2-, HCI d) PO4^3-, HPO4^2-

Answer 1

PO4^3-, HPO4^2-

Step-by-step explanation:

If an acid gives out a proton, the acid then changes to its corresponding base. Similarly, if a base takes in a proton, it changes to its corresponding acid. If a pair of acid and base differ only by the presence or absence of a proton, then they are referred to as a conjugate acid-base pair.

Let us look at this;

HPO4^2-(aq) ----> H^+(aq) + PO4^3-(aq)

HPO4^2- and PO4^3- differ only in the presence or absence of a proton (H^+) hence they constitute a conjugate acid-base pair.