How do I identify the acid, base, conjugate acid, and conjugate base for the reaction below?

Question

Al (H2O)6+H2O <==> H3O+Al (H2O)5(OH)

Answer 1

Hi Adrianna.

 

 I hope you're doing well.

 

On the left, one of the H₂O molecules attached to Al loses an H⁺ -- this is the Acid. The Al(H₂O)₆ is now Al(H₂O)₅(OH^-) on the right -- this is the Conjugate Base.

 

On the Left, the free H₂O grabs the lost H⁺. This H₂O is the base. It turns into H₃O⁺, which is on the right -- this is the Conjugate Acid.

 

So, the thing losing the H⁺ is the Acid, and the thing it turns into upon loss is the Conjugate Base.

The thing gaining the H⁺ is the Base, and the thing it turns into upon the gain is the Conjugate Acid.

 

It's always like this.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Best wishes.

Raffi