Conjugate Acid Definition in Chemistry

Conjugate Acid Definition in Chemistry Conjugate Acid Definition Conjugate acids and bases are Bronsted-Lowry acid and base pairs, determined by which species gains or loses a proton. When a base dissolves in water, the species that gains a hydrogen (proton) is the bases conjugate acid. Acid Base → Conjugate Base Conjugate Acid In other words, a conjugate acid is the acid member, HX, of a pair of compounds that differ from each other by gain or loss of a proton. A conjugate acid can release or donate a proton. A conjugate base is the name given to the species that remains after the acid has donated its proton. The conjugate base can accept a proton. Conjugate Acid Example When the base ammonia reacts with water, the ammonium cation is the conjugate acid that forms: NH3(g)  Ã‚  H2O(l)  Ã¢â€ â€™Ã‚  NH4(aq)  Ã‚  OH−(aq) Source Zumdahl, Stephen S., Zumdahl, Susan A. (2007). Chemistry. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618713700.