The stronger the acid, the weaker its conjugate base.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This statement is a fundamental principle of acid-base chemistry known as the Brønsted-Lowry theory. According to this theory, an acid is a proton donor, while a base is a proton acceptor. When an acid donates a proton, it forms a conjugate base, which is the species that remains after proton transfer has occurred. In general, the stronger the acid, the more likely it is to donate its proton, leaving behind a weaker conjugate base that is less likely to accept a proton. Therefore, there is an inverse relationship between acid strength and conjugate base strength, such that a strong acid will have a weak conjugate base and vice versa.

The Stronger the Acid, the Weaker Its Conjugate Base