A reaction of an acid with a base, creating a solution that is not as acidic or basic as the starting solutions were.
Neutralization
The reaction of an acid with a base is known as a neutralization reaction. This reaction involves the transfer of protons (hydrogen ions, H+) from the acid to the base, forming water (H2O) and a salt. The salt formed will depend on the particular acid and base used in the reaction.
For example, when hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the products formed are water and sodium chloride (NaCl). The ionic equation for the reaction is:
H+ (aq) + Cl- (aq) + Na+ (aq) + OH- (aq) → H2O (l) + Na+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)
The resulting solution is not as acidic or basic as the starting solutions were, but rather neutral. This is because the hydronium ion (H3O+) concentration and hydroxide ion (OH-) concentration, which determine the acidity and basicity of the solution, have been neutralized to form water.
In summary, a neutralization reaction is a reaction of an acid with a base that produces water and a salt, resulting in a neutral solution.
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