Identify the two conjugate acid-base pairs in each of the following:
A) H2PO4^-(aq) + HSO4^-(aq) = H3PO4(aq) + SO4^2-(aq)
B) HI(aq) + CN^-(aq) = HCN(aq) + I^-(aq)
i got
a) H2PO4^- , HSO4^- and SO4^2-
b) CN^- and I^-
But i don't think that these are right, please help!
The question asks for PAIRS (meaning it want a pair for each).
A is H2PO4^-/H3PO4; and HSO4^-/SO4^2-
B is HI/I^-; and CN^-/HCN
Note: for B, CN^- is the base and HCN is the conjugate acid while HI is an acid and I^- is the conjugate base.
To identify the conjugate acid-base pairs in a chemical reaction, you need to understand the concept of acid-base conjugates. A conjugate acid-base pair refers to two species that are related to each other by the gain or loss of a proton (H+) during a chemical reaction.
Let's analyze each reaction and determine the correct conjugate acid-base pairs:
A) H2PO4^-(aq) + HSO4^-(aq) = H3PO4(aq) + SO4^2-(aq)
In this reaction, H2PO4^- acts as a base because it accepts an H+ ion to form H3PO4. Meanwhile, HSO4^- acts as an acid because it donates an H+ ion to form SO4^2-.
Conjugate acid-base pairs:
- Base: H2PO4^- (it accepts an H+ ion to form the conjugate acid, H3PO4)
- Acid: HSO4^- (it donates an H+ ion to form the conjugate base, SO4^2-)
Therefore, the correct conjugate acid-base pairs for reaction A are H2PO4^-/HSO4^- and H3PO4/SO4^2-.
B) HI(aq) + CN^-(aq) = HCN(aq) + I^-(aq)
In this reaction, HI acts as an acid because it donates an H+ ion to form I^-. On the other hand, CN^- acts as a base because it accepts an H+ ion to form HCN.
Conjugate acid-base pairs:
- Acid: HI (it donates an H+ ion to form the conjugate base, I^-)
- Base: CN^- (it accepts an H+ ion to form the conjugate acid, HCN)
Therefore, the correct conjugate acid-base pairs for reaction B are HI/I^- and CN^-/HCN.
You had correctly identified CN^- and I^- as the conjugate acid-base pairs for reaction B. However, in reaction A, the correct pairs are H2PO4^-/HSO4^- and H3PO4/SO4^2-.