Here's a breakdown:
* Base: A substance that can accept a proton (H+).
* Acid: A substance that can donate a proton (H+).
* Conjugate Acid: The species formed when a base accepts a proton.
Example:
* Base: Ammonia (NH3)
* Acid: Water (H2O)
* Reaction: NH3 + H2O ⇌ NH4+ + OH-
* Conjugate Acid: Ammonium ion (NH4+)
Key Points:
* Every acid has a conjugate base, and every base has a conjugate acid.
* The conjugate acid is always one proton (H+) richer than the original base.
* The strength of an acid and its conjugate base are inversely related. A strong acid has a weak conjugate base, and vice versa.