how do i predict a conjugate a base?


Ex: HBr. The conjugate base is Br-

a. NH4+
b. H2O
c. H2PO4

It's easy. Really nothing to it.

Acids have another H. Bases have fewer H.The problem tells you what is printed is an acid. Take away a H to get the base.

SO, NH4^+ is the acid; NH3 is the base.
H2O is the acid; OH^- is the base.
c.

ha :) thanks so much, that helps lots, i don't know why i was over thinking it! you're awesome!

To predict the conjugate base of an acid, you need to remove a proton (H+) from the acid. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Identify the acid: In this case, the acid is HBr.

2. Determine which hydrogen atom is the acidic hydrogen: In HBr, the hydrogen atom bonded to the bromine is the acidic hydrogen.

3. Remove the acidic hydrogen: By removing the acidic hydrogen, we are left with the conjugate base. In this case, HBr loses the hydrogen atom, and the conjugate base is Br- (a bromide ion).

Let's go through the options you provided to find the conjugate base:

a. NH4+: This is not the conjugate base of HBr. NH4+ is actually the conjugate acid of NH3.

b. H2O: This is not the conjugate base of HBr. H2O is a neutral molecule and does not have the ability to accept a proton to form a conjugate base.

c. H2PO4-: This is also not the conjugate base of HBr. H2PO4- is actually the conjugate acid of HPO42-.

Therefore, the correct answer is Br-, as it is the conjugate base of HBr.