Neutralization is a chemical reaction, also called a water forming reaction, in which an acid and a base or alkali (soluble base) react and produce a salt and water. In other words, you can say that neutralization is the combinaton of hydrogen ions H⁺ and hydroxide ions OH^- (or oxide ions O^2-) to form water molecule H₂O. In the process, a salt is formed. Neutralization is exothermic, meaning it produces heat. A chemical reaction is a process involving one, two, or more substances, such as compounds or atoms. ... An acid (often represented by the generic formula AH) is typically a water-soluble, sour-tasting chemical compound. ... The common (Arrhenius) definition of a base, also known as an alkaline compound, is a chemical compound that either donates hydroxide ions or absorbs hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. ... In chemistry, salt is a term used for ionic compounds composed of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions, so that the product is neutral and without a net charge. ... Water (from the Old English word wæter; c. ... General Name, Symbol, Number hydrogen, H, 1 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 1, 1, s Appearance colorless Atomic mass 1. ... ... Hydroxide is a polyatomic ion consisting of oxygen and hydrogen: −O−H It has a charge of −1. ... ... An oxide is a chemical compound of oxygen with other chemical elements. ... ... This article describes water from a scientific and technical perspective. ... In chemistry, salt is a term used for ionic compounds composed of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions, so that the product is neutral and without a net charge. ... Exothermic has several meanings, including: In biology, an exothermic or poikilothermic animal is one that requires external sources of heat (usually sunlight) to maintain its internal temperature: for example, reptiles. ... A red-hot iron rod cooling after being worked by a blacksmith. ...

Most generally, the following occurs:

As an example — the reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solutions:

Since the HCl and NaOH dissociate into ions in solution, the ionic equation is: The chemical substance hydrochloric acid is the aqueous (water-based) solution of hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas. ... Flash point non flammable Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... Flash point  ? °C R/S statement R: ? S: ? RTECS number  ? Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... An ion is an atom or group of atoms with a net electric charge. ...

And since the sodium and chloride ions are just spectator ions not involved in the reaction, the net equation becomes:

This illustrates why neutralization reactions are also referred to as water forming reactions. Of course the sodium and chloride ions are still in solution so the result is pH neutral salt water. The title of this article is shown beginning with a capital letter due to technical restrictions. ...

Chemical titration methods are used for analyzing acids or bases to determine the unknown concentration. A pH meter can be used to determine the point of neutralization or a pH indicator such as UI (universal indicator) which shows the point of neutralization by a distinct color change can be used. Simple stoichiometric calculations with the known volume of the unknown and the known volume and molarity of the added chemical gives the molarity of the unknown. Titration setup. ... Concentration is a very common concept used in chemistry and related fields. ... A pH meter is a specific type of voltmeter with a very high impedance of the input channels. ...  pH indicator The correct title of this article is pH indicator. ... In chemistry, stoichiometry is the study of the combination of elements in chemical reactions. ... This page refers to concentration in the chemical sense. ...

Excess gastric acid in the stomach, acid indigestion, is typically neutralized by the ingestion of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) or other neutralizing agent (antacids). Gastric acid is, together with several enzymes and the intrinsic factor, one of the main secretions of the stomach. ... Acid indigestion is a type of indigestion involving an excess of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. ... Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), or sodium hydrogen carbonate, also known as baking soda and bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble white anhydrous or crystalline compound, with a slight alkaline taste resembling that of sodium carbonate. ... An antacid is any substance that counteracts stomach acidity. ...

Neutralisation can also be used to reduce the pain of insect and plant stings. Bee stings can be neutralised with alkalis and wasps with acids. Nettle stings can be neutralised with alkalis like the one found in dock leaves.

See also

• Acid-base reaction theories