What is the neutralization of an acid and a base?

Answer 1

If Hydrochloric acid (with a PH of around 1) is added to Sodium Hydroxide

(with a PH of around 14), if the quantities are even then the end product will have a PH close to 7 (A neutral PH). This is why it is called Neutralization

Put another way, if the proper amount and concentration of an acid and a base are mixed, the two will completely react to form a salt and water.

e.g. the reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide:

HCl + NaOH --> H2O + NaCl

Water has a pH of 7. So does sodium chloride. Therefore, the resulting solution is neutral.

Answer 2

Neutral water has a "balanced" concentration of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions.

Acid solutions (in general) have more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions, because hydrogen ions separate from the acid molecule.

Base solutions (in general) have more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions, either because the base molecule attracts free hydrogen ions, or because hydroxide ions separate from the base molecule.

When you put them together, the excess hydrogen ions (from the acid) and the excess hydroxide ions (from the base) join to form water molecules.

Answer 3

If you have an acid of unknown strength, you add Universal Indicator & add drops of a base.

Count the drops of the base until the solution turns green (neutral)

This should tell you how strong the acid is.

This can also be done the other way (with a base of unknown strength & adding an acid)

Does that make sense?

Answer 4

the acid cancels out the alkali and the mixture is neutralised

Answer 5

The neutralization of an acid and a base is a chemical reaction in which hydrogen ions from the acid combine with hydroxide ions from the base to form the neutral compound water.

Answer 6

After this reaction a salt is obtained and the solution become neutral.