Question

Write the neutralisation reaction between acids and bases in terms of the ions involved.

Answer 1

 Let us consider an acid-base neutralisation reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to give sodium chloride salt (NaCl) and water.     

Equations involving ions:
Hydrochloric acid ionises in water as follows,
HCl(aq)  → H⁺(aq) + Cl^- (aq)
Sodium hydroxide ionises in water as
NaOH(aq) → Na⁺(aq) + OH^-(aq)
Let us now combine both the reactions above.
Na⁺(aq) + Cl^-(aq) + H⁺(aq) + OH^-(aq) → NaCl(aq)+ H₂O(l)