Questions: Weak acids differ in their relative strength; the same is true of weak bases. If base X is stronger than base Y, then the conjugate acid will be than the conjugate acid HY.

Weak acids differ in their relative strength; the same is true of weak bases. If base X is stronger than base Y, then the conjugate acid will be than the conjugate acid HY.

Transcript text: Weak acids differ in their relative strength; the same is true of weak bases. If base $X$ is stronger than base $Y$, then the conjugate acid will be $\square$ than the conjugate acid HY.

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Understanding the Relationship Between Bases and Their Conjugate Acids

The strength of a base is inversely related to the strength of its conjugate acid. This means that if a base is strong, its conjugate acid will be weak, and vice versa. This relationship is due to the fact that a strong base has a high tendency to accept protons, leaving its conjugate acid with a low tendency to donate protons.

Step 2: Analyzing the Given Information

We are given that base $ X $ is stronger than base $ Y $. According to the inverse relationship between the strength of a base and its conjugate acid, the conjugate acid of a stronger base will be weaker than the conjugate acid of a weaker base.

Step 3: Applying the Concept to the Problem

Since base $ X $ is stronger than base $ Y $, the conjugate acid $ iDC $ of base $ X $ will be weaker than the conjugate acid $ HY $ of base $ Y $.