Chapter 17, Problem 17E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The conjugate acid-base pairs in the reaction ${\text{NH}}_4{}^{+}\left(\text{aq}\right)+{\text{HPO}}_4{}^{2-}\left(\text{aq}\right)\rightleftharpoons {\text{NH}}_3\left(\text{aq}\right)+{\text{H}}_2{\text{PO}}_4{}^{-}\left(\text{aq}\right)$ are to be identified.

Concept introduction:

An acid is a substance from which a proton can be removed and a base is a substance that can remove proton from an acid. In a reversible reaction, the acid releases a proton to the base, leaving the anion and positive charge specie. In this way, they form acid- base pair, which is known as conjugated acid-base pair.