Which of these following substances will neutralise each other?
Hydrochloric acid and potassium hydroxide.
When definite amounts of acid and base (alkali) are mixed, they neutralise each other forming salt and water. This reaction is called a neutralisation reaction. The general representation is given below.
Acid (aq)+Base (aq)→Salt (s)+Water (l)
Thus, hydrochloric acid and potassium hydroxide neutralise each other forming potassium chloride and water. The reaction is given below:
HCl (aq)+KOH (aq)→KCl (aq)+H2O (l)
Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are bases. Two bases cannot neutralise each other. Similarly, hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid will not neutralise each other as both are acids. Also, water does not neutralise an acid or a base.