The reaction of an acid with a base produces a salt and another product. What is the identity of the other product?
The correct answer and explanation is:
When an acid reacts with a base, the other product formed is water. This reaction is known as a neutralization reaction. In a neutralization reaction, the acid donates a proton (H⁺) and the base donates a hydroxide ion (OH⁻). The H⁺ and OH⁻ ions combine to form water (H₂O), while the remaining ions from the acid and base combine to form a salt.
The general equation for a neutralization reaction is:
Acid + Base → Salt + Water
For example, if hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the reaction can be written as:
HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H₂O
Here, HCl is the acid and NaOH is the base. The chloride ion (Cl⁻) from HCl and the sodium ion (Na⁺) from NaOH combine to form the salt sodium chloride (NaCl), while the H⁺ from HCl and the OH⁻ from NaOH combine to form water (H₂O).
The formation of water in this reaction is a characteristic feature of neutralization. The pH of the resulting solution will be close to neutral (pH 7) if the acid and base are present in equal amounts. However, if there is an excess of acid or base, the pH will be acidic or basic, respectively.
Neutralization reactions are important in various fields, such as in the preparation of antacids, in wastewater treatment, and in chemical manufacturing. The salt produced can vary depending on the specific acid and base involved, but the production of water remains a constant outcome.