When an acid is neutralized by a base what is formed?

Answer 1

Just any acid and any base won't necessarily "make anything". Acids and Bases are measured on the pH scale which ranges from 1 to 15, 1 being acidic, and is a non-linear, logarithmic scale meaning it covers a very wide range.

If you take an acid, and neutralize it with a base, you and up with a pH of 7, which is neural and nether acidic or basic. Pure water is neutral and thus has a pH of exactly 7.

That being said, even though you have an acid and base cancel out or become neutral, the two components used most certainly cause a reaction during the process, usually exothermic meanig heat is produced.

Also, ions are involved and it's possible to have something acidic suddenly turn basic with a very small amount of base added as the process is typically highly non-linear. The details are complex and beyond the scope of this question.

What you would end up with depends on what acid and base you combine, but you could still end up with some compound, that has a neutral Ph and is neither acidic nor basic.

An easy experiment is to use acetic acid (ordinary vinegar), and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) dissolved in water creating a base. When combined, a reaction does occur and carbon dioxide is released usually vigorously, like pouring warm soda into a cup.

With the right ratio of vineger and bicarb, you could have one neutralize the other and become well, neutral in pH.

Answer 2

Bases neutralize acids and vice versa.

Also,

Conjugate Bases neutralize acids and vice versa.

The H+'s in acids come together with the OH-'s in bases to make NEUTRAL water!

Answer 3

A salt and water