Question

You have hydrochloric acid in a beaker. Which one of the following will you use to perform the experiment of neutralisation?

• A. NaOH (Sodium hydroxide)
• B. H₂SO₄ (Sulphuric acid)
• C. HNO₃ (Nitric acid)
• D. Pure H₂O (Water)

Answer 1

The correct option is A

NaOH (Sodium hydroxide)

An acid reacts with a base to neutralize its effect. Hydrochloric acid will react with a base to form salt and water respectively. Here, sodium hydroxide is a base. So HCl will react with NaOH to form sodium chloride salt and water. The reaction will occur as follows:

$\text{HCl}+\text{NaOH}\to \text{NaCl}+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}$

Two acids do not react to neutralize each other, so $\text{HCl}$ will not react with ${\text{H}}_2{\text{SO}}_4$ and ${\text{HNO}}_3$. Pure water being neutral will not neutralise $\text{HCl}$.