## Conjugates

Dina Geotas 4A
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:29 am

### Conjugates

Can someone please explain the Conjugate Seesaw effect?

JiangJC Dis2K
Posts: 72
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2018 12:16 am

### Re: Conjugates

The conjugate seesaw is based upon the statements "the stronger the acid the weaker its conjugate base" and "the stronger the base the weaker its conjugate acid" and inversely. Quantitatively, this can be explained by the equation ka x kb= kw, and kw is a constant (10^-14). Therefore, ka and kb are inversely proportionate because kw is a fixed number. Hope that helps :))

daniella_knight1I
Posts: 57
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:18 am

### Re: Conjugates

The stronger the acid, the weaker the conjugate base and vice versa, that's why it's called a "seesaw" because one is "up" and one is "down" figuratively.

Saman Andalib 1H
Posts: 73
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:16 am

### Re: Conjugates

It is built off of the equation that Ka*Kb=Kw and if Kw is a constant, any increase in Ka or Kb respectively will lead to a decrease in the other variable in each case.

jlinwashington1B
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:22 am

### Re: Conjugates

Does anyone know what the conjugate seesaw refers to ?

Vicky Lu 1L
Posts: 60
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:18 am

### Re: Conjugates

The conjugate seesaw describes the relationship between an acid and its conjugate base and also a base with tis conjugate acid. The acid or base and their conjugate are inversely proportionate in terms of strength. This is a seesaw as when the acid or base is stronger, the weaker the conjugate acid or base will be. The weaker the acid or base, the stronger the conjugate acid or base will be. This is due to Kw which is the concentration of Ka and Kb that together will 1.0*10^-14.

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