A) In the reaction between dissolved ammonia gas (NH3) and water (H2O), ammonia acts as the base, and water acts as the acid. In this reaction, the ammonia molecule accepts a proton (H+ ion) from water to form ammonium ions (NH4+).
The reaction can be represented as follows:
NH3 + H2O ⇌ NH4+ + OH-
Ammonia acts as a base because it accepts a proton (H+) from water, behaving as a proton acceptor. Water, on the other hand, donates a proton and behaves as a proton donor, making it an acid in this reaction.
B) The conjugate acid and conjugate base of the reaction between NH3 and H2O can be determined by considering the transfer of protons (H+ ions).
In the forward reaction, where NH3 accepts a proton from water, NH4+ is formed. NH4+ is the conjugate acid because it is formed when NH3 accepts an additional proton.
In the backward reaction, where NH4+ donates a proton to form NH3, OH- is formed. OH- is the conjugate base because it is formed when water donates a proton.
Conjugate Acid: NH4+
Conjugate Base: OH-
C) The complete chemical equation for the reaction between NH3 and H2O is:
NH3 + H2O ⇌ NH4+ + OH-