Tools for Dealing with Weak Acids and Bases

8-5j Tools for Dealing with Weak Acids and Bases 

By analogy to the definition of pH, we define pK as the negative logarithm of an equilibrium constant. For the acid dissociation constant in Equation 8-4 and the base hydrolysis constant in Equation 8-5, we can write 

Remember from Equation 8-10 the very important relation between and Kb for a conjugate acid-base pair, which are related by gain or loss of a single proton Kg Kb = K.  

The conjugate base of a weak acid is a weak base. 

The conjugate acid of a weak base is a weak acid. 

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