Conjugate Acids and Bases

[Maya Serota 3G]

Could someone explain exactly what it means when a product is a conjugate acid or base? Thank you!

[Sean Sugai 4E]

A conjugate acid of a base is the species formed when the base accepts a proton; a conjugate base of an acid is the species formed when the acid donates a proton. Basically, identify the acids and bases in the reactants. Then, look for the species that has an H+ now and didn't have it before–that's the conjugate acid of a base. Likewise, look for the species in the products that doesn't have an H+ anymore–that's the conjugate base of an acid. This is a general approach to identifying conjugates, so be sure to look carefully.

[BryantChung_4B]

Conjugate acids and bases can arise in reversible reactions. For example, an acid donates an H+ to another molecule, and then turns into a product with one less H+. This is now a conjugate base, because in the reverse reaction, it can accept an H+.

[SVajragiri_1C]

A conjugate acid of a base is basically the base attached to a proton (hydrogen ion). Likewise, the conjugate base of an acid is the acid without a proton (hydrogen ion). It is basically a reaction of the addition/removal of a hydrogen ion, and the reactant and product are conjugates of each other.

[Miriam Villarreal 1J]

A conjugate base is formed when an acid donates a proton (H+) and conjugate acid is formed when a base accepts a proton. Also if an acid is strong then conjugate base is weak and is a base is strong then conjugate acid is weak