Question

What happens when an acid reacts with a base? Explain by taking the example of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. Give equation of the chemical reaction which takes place. What is the special name of such a reaction?

Answer 1

When an acid is treated with a base, the base neutralises the acid, thereby destroying its acidity. Since an acid and a base neutralise each other’s effect, the reaction between an acid and a base to form salt and water is called a neutralisation reaction.

\[\ce{Acid + Base -> Salt + Water}\]

When hydrochloric acid reacts with a sodium hydroxide solution, a neutralisation reaction occurs, forming sodium chloride and water.

\[\ce{\underset{(Base)}{\underset{Sodium hydroxide}{NaOH_{(aq)}}} + \underset{(Acid)}{\underset{Hydrochloric acid}{HCl_{(aq)}}} -> \underset{(Salt)}{\underset{Sodium chloride}{NaCl_{(aq)}}} + \underset{Water}{H2O_{(l)}}}\]