Write the formula for the conjugate base of each acid. d. HF

Key Concepts

Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs

In acid-base chemistry, a conjugate acid-base pair consists of two species that differ by the presence of a proton (H+). When an acid donates a proton, it forms its conjugate base, while the base that accepts the proton becomes its conjugate acid. Understanding this relationship is crucial for identifying the conjugate base of any given acid.

Hydrofluoric Acid (HF)

HF is a weak acid that partially dissociates in water to produce hydrogen ions (H+) and fluoride ions (F-). The dissociation can be represented as HF ⇌ H+ + F-. Recognizing the behavior of HF as a weak acid helps in determining its conjugate base, which is the species remaining after the acid donates a proton.

Identifying Conjugate Bases

To find the conjugate base of an acid, one must remove a proton from the acid's formula. For HF, removing H+ from HF leaves F-. This process is fundamental in acid-base reactions and is essential for predicting the behavior of acids and their corresponding bases in chemical reactions.