Neutralization

Neutralization is a chemical reaction in which an acid and a base react quantitatively with each other. In a reaction in water, neutralization results in there being no excess of hydrogen or hydroxide ions present in the solution. The pH of the neutralized solution depends on the acid strength of the reactants.

Overview

Neutralization is used in many applications. In the context of a chemical reaction, the term neutralization is used for reactions between an acid and a base to produce a salt and water. For example, the reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solutions produces a solution of sodium chloride and water:

HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O

Acid-Base Reaction

An acid-base reaction is a chemical reaction that occurs between an acid and a base. Several theoretical frameworks provide alternative conceptions of the reaction mechanisms and their application in solving related problems; these are called acid-base theories, for example, the Arrhenius theory, the Bronsted-Lowry theory, and the Lewis theory.

Applications

Neutralization reactions are used in a variety of applications, including:

• In wastewater treatment to reduce the damage that can be caused by acidic or basic pollutants.
• In chemistry, to determine the concentration of an unknown acid or base.
• In medicine, antacids are used to help neutralize stomach acid.
• In agriculture, to neutralize acidic soils.

See also

• Acid
• Base
• Salt
• pH
• Acid-base reaction theories
• Titration

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