Question

Define the term neutralisation. Give three examples (with equations) of neutralisation reactions.

Answer 1

Neutralisation is a chemical reaction in which an acid and a base react to form a salt and water.
For example,

1. Hydrochloric acid neutralises sodium hydroxide to form sodium chloride and water.

$\mathrm{HCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+NaOH\; (aq)\to NaCl\; (aq)+H_2\mathrm{O\; (l)}$

2. Sulphuric acid neutralises sodium hydroxide to form sodium sulphate and water.

${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+2NaOH\; (aq)\to {Na}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4(aq)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$

3. Nitric acid neutralises potassium hydroxide to form potassium nitrate and water.

${\mathrm{HNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+KOH\; (aq)\to {KNO}_3(aq)+H_2\mathrm{O\; (l)}$