What is a conjugate acid-base pair?
Put most simply, a conjugate acid-base pair is made up of two almost identifcal molecules, the only difference being that one of them has an extra hydrogen ion (or ions). The one with the hydrogen ion is called the acid because it can donate the hydrogen, and the one without is called its conjugate base. When an acid comes apart or dissociates, it forms a hydrogen ion and its conjugate base. The conjugate acid-base pair for this acid is this acid and its conjugate base. The two are in equilibrium, and through acceptance or donation of a hydrogen ion, one species will become the other. Similarly, when a base is in solution, it forms its conjugate acid with a hydrogen from the water molecules. The conjugate acid-base pair for this base is the base and its conjugate acid. The two are in equilibrium, and through acceptance or donation of a hydrogen ion, one species will become the other. This gives the pair an amazing buffering capacity; if hydrogen ions are added to the solution, the base
