Question

What is a neutralisation reaction? Explain with an example. Give the chemical equation of the reaction which takes place.

Answer 1

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 forms sodium chloride and water.

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

This is an example of a neutralisation reaction. In this reaction, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid neutralise (nullify) each other to form sodium chloride, which is neutral.