Neutralisation reactions

​In a nutshell

Acids and alkalis will neutralise each other to form salt and water. The salt produced can be worked out from the acid and alkali used.

Equations

Acids and alkalis neutralise each other

Acids and alkalis react together to form a neutral solution (pH $$7$$​) of salt and water.

$$acid + alkali \rightarrow salt + water$$​

Example

​$$hydrochloric\ acid\ + sodium\ hydroxide\ \rightarrow\ sodium\ chloride\ +\ water\\ \newline \> \newline HCl\ +\ NaOH\ \rightarrow\ NaCl\ +\ H_{2}O$$

Hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide react to form a neutral solution, water, and a salt, sodium chloride.

​

Hydrochloric\ acid + Sodium\ hydroxide \rightarrow Sodium\ chloride + water​

Naming salts

The first word is taken from the alkali and is the metal which is present. The second word ends in 'ide' or 'ate' and is taken from the acid.  'Ate' is used when at least one oxygen atom is present in the acid.

• Hydrochloric acids makes chloride salts​
  
• Nitric acid makes nitrate salts
• Sulfuric acids makes sulfate salts

​​Example

​$$sulfuric\ acid\ + sodium\ hydroxide \rightarrow sodium\ sulfate\ + water$$

Sulfuric acid reacted with an alkali, sodium hydroxide, to produce a sulfate salt, sodium sulfate.​