Question

1.) Explain why conjugate pairs must be composed of weak acids and bases.

Answer 1

When one of the components of a conjugate pair is a strong acid or a strong base, it will readily dissolve in water or any other solution. However its conjugate acid or base will always be a weak acid or base since it will not go back to forming the original acid or base.

For eg. Take HCl dissociation in water

HCl = H+ + Cl-

HCl is a strong acid. Its conjugate base is Cl- which will not readily accept a proton as the above reaction is favoured in forward direction. It is therefore a weak base.