What is the process of neutralisation?

Neutralisation is a chemical reaction between an acid and a base which produces a salt and water.

Neutralisation is a fundamental concept in chemistry, particularly in the study of acids and bases. It is a type of chemical reaction that occurs when an acid and a base react with each other. The products of this reaction are a salt and water, which are both neutral, hence the term 'neutralisation'.

The general equation for a neutralisation reaction is: Acid + Base → Salt + Water. For example, if hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the products will be sodium chloride (NaCl) and water (H2O). This can be represented as: HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O.

In this reaction, the hydrogen ions (H+) from the acid react with the hydroxide ions (OH-) from the base to form water. The remaining ions (Na+ and Cl-) combine to form the salt, sodium chloride.

Neutralisation reactions are exothermic, meaning they release heat. This is why the solution often feels warm during such reactions.

Neutralisation reactions have many practical applications. They are used in antacid tablets to neutralise stomach acid, in agriculture to neutralise acidic or alkaline soils, and in environmental science to neutralise acidic pollutants in water and air.

Understanding neutralisation reactions is crucial for IGCSE Chemistry students as it forms the basis for understanding the behaviour of acids and bases, and their interactions with each other.