3.13 - Neutralisation reactions between acids and bases
Neutralisation is an acid–base reaction. You will recognise the salt-and-water pattern for metal oxides and hydroxides, name the salt formed, and explain why a mixture can remain acidic after some neutralisation has occurred.
What neutralisation means
A neutralisation reaction is a reaction between an acid and a base. In the metal oxide and hydroxide reactions used here, the products are a salt and water:
acid + metal oxide or hydroxide → salt + water
An alkali is a soluble base, such as sodium hydroxide. A base need not be soluble: copper oxide and magnesium oxide also react with acids. For example:
hydrochloric acid + magnesium oxide → magnesium chloride + water
Magnesium oxide neutralises the acid even though it is an insoluble solid. Carbonates can also neutralise acids, but their reactions produce carbon dioxide as well as salt and water.
Neutralisation does not mean that every mixture must finish at pH 7. If excess acid remains, the mixture is still acidic even though some acid has reacted.
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