The question is incomplete; the complete question is;
Why will the conjugate base of a weak acid affect pH? Select the correct answer below: O it will react with hydroxide
O it will react with water
O it will react with hydronium
O none of the above Content attribution
Answer:
O it will react with hydronium
Explanation:
If we have a weak acid HA, the weak acid ionizes as follows;
HA(aq) ----> H^+(aq) + A^-(aq)
A^- is the conjugate base of the weak acid.
H^+ interacts with water to form the hydronium ion as follows;
H^+(aq) + H2O(l) ----> H3O^+(aq)
The pH=[H3O^+]
But the conjugate base of the weak acid reacts with this hydronium ion thereby affecting its concentration and the pH of the system as follows;
A^-(aq) + H3O^+(aq) ------> HA(aq) + H2O(l)
