H2SO4, known as sulfuric acid, is classified as an acid. It is one of the strongest acids and is commonly used in various industrial processes. When dissolved in water, sulfuric acid dissociates to produce hydrogen ions (H+) and sulfate ions (SO42−). The presence of hydrogen ions is the defining feature of acids in the Brønsted-Lowry acid-base theory.
To identify the conjugate base, we need to consider what happens when H2SO4 donates a proton (H+). When H2SO4 donates a proton, it transforms into its conjugate base, HSO4− (hydrogen sulfate ion). Therefore, the conjugate base of H2SO4 is HSO4−.
In summary, H2SO4 is an acid, and its conjugate base is HSO4−.