What are common household examples of neutralisation reactions?

Common household examples of neutralisation reactions include indigestion tablets neutralising stomach acid and baking soda neutralising vinegar.

Neutralisation reactions are a type of chemical reaction that occur when an acid and a base react with each other to produce a salt and water. This process is called neutralisation because the acid and base cancel each other out, resulting in a neutral solution.

One common example of a neutralisation reaction that occurs in the household is when you take an indigestion tablet to relieve heartburn or acid reflux. The active ingredient in most indigestion tablets is a base, usually magnesium hydroxide or aluminium hydroxide. When you swallow the tablet, it reacts with the hydrochloric acid in your stomach. This neutralisation reaction produces a salt (magnesium chloride or aluminium chloride) and water, which are harmless and can be easily excreted by your body. The neutralisation of the stomach acid relieves the symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux.

Another example of a neutralisation reaction in the household is the reaction between baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda is a base (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar is an acid (acetic acid). When you mix them together, they react to produce a salt (sodium acetate), water, and carbon dioxide gas. This reaction is often used in science experiments to demonstrate the concept of neutralisation. The fizzing and bubbling you see when you mix baking soda and vinegar is the carbon dioxide gas being released.

These are just a few examples of the many neutralisation reactions that occur in our daily lives. Understanding these reactions can help us to better understand the chemistry of the world around us.