Question

How does Sodium Hydroxide Neutralize Acid?

Answer 1

Effect when $\mathrm{NaOH}$ reacts with acid:

• Sodium hydroxide is a strong base.
• Due to this nature, a neutralization reaction takes place where the effect of ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ions present in the solution is cancelled by the effect of ${\mathrm{OH}}^{-}$ions produced by strong base sodium hydroxide.
• When a strong base reacts with the acid, it forms salt and water. Thus, neutralizing the reaction.
• Example- $$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{NaOH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+\mathrm{HCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to \mathrm{NaCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right) \\ \mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{hydroxide}\mathrm{Hydrochloric}\mathrm{aicd}\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{chloride}\mathrm{Water} \end{gathered}$$

Therefore, by forming salt and water, sodium hydroxide neutralize the acid.