Neutralisation and salt formation – basic principles
How it works
In neutralisation, an acidic and a basic solution react with each other. In the simple school model for acids and alkalis, H+-ions (or oxonium ions) from the acidic solution react with OH--ions from the basic solution to form water. The remaining ions form a salt, for example sodium chloride from hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solution. Neutralisation reactions are exothermic. Depending on the substances used and the ratio of amounts, the solution afterwards can be neutral, acidic or basic. In reactions of acids with carbonates or hydrogencarbonates, carbon dioxide can additionally be produced.
Simplified, the following applies to the neutralisation of acidic solutions with alkalis: H+ + OH- → H2O. The remaining ions form the salt. Only with a suitable ratio of amounts is the solution afterwards neither acidic nor basic.
An example
Which products are formed during the neutralisation of hydrochloric acid (HCl) with sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH)?
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Chemistry. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.