What is the conjugate acid-base in this reaction HSO3 plus water
To determine the conjugate acid-base pair in this reaction, we need to identify the species that donates a proton (H+) and the species that accepts the proton.
In this case, H2SO3 (sulfurous acid) dissociates in water to form the HSO3- ion and H3O+ ion. The HSO3- ion can accept a proton from water, forming H2SO3 again. Therefore, the HSO3- ion acts as a base in this reaction, and its conjugate acid is H2SO3.
So, the conjugate acid-base pair in this reaction is HSO3- (base) and H2SO3 (conjugate acid).