Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong base that readily dissociates in water to form sodium ions (Na+) and hydroxide ions (OH-). The conjugate acid of NaOH is H2O, which forms when NaOH donates a proton to an acid. H2O can act as either an acid or a base, depending on the reaction conditions. The conjugate base of H2O is OH-, which is the most common ion in aqueous solutions. The acid-base reaction between NaOH and H2O is a reversible process, meaning that the conjugate acid and base can interconvert depending on the pH of the solution.
Conjugate Acid of NaOH
NaOH, or sodium hydroxide, is a strong base that is commonly used in various industrial and domestic applications. When NaOH dissolves in water, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na+) and hydroxide ions (OH-). The conjugate acid of NaOH is the species that forms when NaOH donates a proton (H+).
The conjugate acid of NaOH is H2O, or water. This is because when NaOH donates a proton, it becomes Na+ and H+. The H+ ion then combines with a water molecule (H2O) to form H3O+, which is the conjugate acid of NaOH.
The following equation shows the dissociation of NaOH and the formation of its conjugate acid:
NaOH + H2O → Na+ + OH- + H3O+
The conjugate acid of NaOH is a weak acid, which means that it does not readily donate protons. This is in contrast to NaOH, which is a strong base and readily donates protons.
The strength of an acid or base is measured by its pKa value. The pKa value is the negative logarithm of the acid dissociation constant (Ka). The Ka value is the equilibrium constant for the dissociation of an acid into its conjugate base and a proton.
The pKa value of the conjugate acid of NaOH is 15.74. This means that the conjugate acid of NaOH is a very weak acid.
The following table summarizes the key properties of NaOH and its conjugate acid:
| Property | NaOH | Conjugate Acid (H2O) |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | NaOH | H2O |
| Type | Strong base | Weak acid |
| Dissociation | NaOH → Na+ + OH- | H2O + H+ → H3O+ |
| pKa value | 15.74 |
Question 1: What is the conjugate acid of NaOH?
Answer: The conjugate acid of NaOH is H2O.
Question 2: How is the conjugate acid of NaOH formed?
Answer: The conjugate acid of NaOH is formed when NaOH donates a proton (H+).
Question 3: What is the relationship between NaOH and its conjugate acid?
Answer: NaOH and its conjugate acid are related by the following equilibrium: NaOH + H+ <=> H2O.
Alright folks, that’s all she wrote about the conjugate acid of NaOH! I know it can be a bit of a brain-twister, but don’t worry, you got this. Just remember, it’s the opposite of NaOH in terms of acidity. If you’ve got any more chemistry questions, don’t be shy, come on back and I’ll do my best to help. Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll catch you next time!