QuestionFebruary 20, 2026

Describe what happens in the forward and reverse reactions when ammonia is dissolved in water. Identify the conjugate acid, the conjugate base, and the two conjugate acid-base pairs.

Describe what happens in the forward and reverse reactions when ammonia is dissolved in water. Identify the conjugate acid, the conjugate base, and the two conjugate acid-base pairs.
Describe what happens in the forward and reverse reactions when
ammonia is dissolved in water. Identify the conjugate acid, the
conjugate base, and the two conjugate acid-base pairs.

Solution
4.1(100 votes)

Answer

Forward: NH₃ + H₂O → NH₄⁺ + OH⁻ ### Reverse: NH₄⁺ + OH⁻ → NH₃ + H₂O ### Conjugate acid: NH₄⁺ ### Conjugate base: OH⁻ ### Conjugate acid-base pairs: (NH₃, NH₄⁺) and (H₂O, OH⁻) Explanation 1. Identify the forward reaction Ammonia reacts with water: NH_3 + H_2O \rightarrow NH_4^+ + OH^-. NH₃ accepts a proton from water, forming ammonium (NH_4^+) and hydroxide (OH^-). 2. Identify the reverse reaction NH_4^+ donates a proton to OH^- (or NH_4^+ to H_2O), regenerating NH_3 and H_2O. 3. Determine conjugate acid and base Conjugate acid: NH_4^+ (from NH₃). Conjugate base: OH^- (from H₂O). 4. Identify conjugate acid-base pairs Pair 1: NH_3 and NH_4^+ Pair 2: H_2O and OH^-.

Explanation

1. Identify the forward reaction <br /> Ammonia reacts with water: $NH_3 + H_2O \rightarrow NH_4^+ + OH^-$. NH₃ accepts a proton from water, forming ammonium ($NH_4^+$) and hydroxide ($OH^-$). <br /><br />2. Identify the reverse reaction <br /> $NH_4^+$ donates a proton to $OH^-$ (or $NH_4^+$ to $H_2O$), regenerating $NH_3$ and $H_2O$. <br /><br />3. Determine conjugate acid and base <br /> Conjugate acid: $NH_4^+$ (from NH₃). <br /> Conjugate base: $OH^-$ (from H₂O). <br /><br />4. Identify conjugate acid-base pairs <br /> Pair 1: $NH_3$ and $NH_4^+$ <br /> Pair 2: $H_2O$ and $OH^-$.
Click to rate: