Question

What is neutralization? Explain.

Answer 1

Salt and water are formed by reaction of acid with base or base with acid. This reaction is known as neutralization.
Example:
$HCl\left(aq\right)+NaOH\left(aq\right)\to NaCl\left(aq\right)+H_{2}O\left(l\right)$

The aqueous solutions or the salts produced by neutralization of weak acid with strong base possess basic nature because the salt hydrolyses in water and produces $O{H}^{-}$.
Examples:
$H_{2}C{O}_3\left(aq\right)+2NaOH\left(aq\right)\to N{a}_{2}C{O}_3\left(aq\right)+2H_{2}O\left(I\right)$

The aqueous solutions of salts produced by neutralization of weak base and strong acid possess acidic nature because the salt hydrolyses in water and produces $H_3{O}^{+}$.
Example:
$HCl\left(aq\right)+N{H}_{4}OH\left(aq\right)\to N{H}_{4}Cl\left(aq\right)+H_{2}O\left(l\right)$
The aqueous solution of the salt produced is neutral.