Conjugate Acid/Base

Definition

A conjugate acid is the particle formed when a base gains a hydrogen ion, and a conjugate base is what remains after an acid has donated a proton during a chemical reaction.

Analogy

Think of the conjugate acid/base pair as a game of catch with a baseball (the proton). The player who starts with the ball (the acid) throws it to another player (the base), who then catches it. After catching the ball, that player becomes an "acid" because they now have the ball, while the original thrower becomes a "base" because they no longer have it.

Related terms

Bronsted-Lowry Acid: An acid is defined as any substance that can donate a proton (H+).

Bronsted-Lowry Base: A base is any substance that can accept or receive a proton (H+).

Amphoteric Substance: This refers to substances like water and certain amino acids that can act as both acids and bases depending on their environment.