Chapter 18: Acids, Bases, and Salts

Neutralization

A chemical reaction between an acid and a base that produces a salt and water.

Salt

An ionic compound formed from the cation of a base and the anion of an acid.

Titration

A laboratory method used to determine the concentration of an acid or base by reacting it with a solution of known concentration.

Key Concepts

• Neutralization reactions typically occur in aqueous solutions.
• The reaction involves the transfer of hydrogen ions (H⁺) from the acid to the hydroxide ions (OH⁻) of the base, forming water.
• Salts formed in neutralization reactions can be soluble or insoluble in water.

Titration Process

1. Add a measured volume of the acid or base to a flask.
2. Use a burette to slowly add the titrant of known concentration.
3. Monitor the pH change using an indicator or a pH meter.
4. The equivalence point is reached when the acid and base have reacted completely, indicated by a color change or a stable pH value.

Neutralization Equation

General Equation

$\mathrm{HA}+{\mathrm{MOH}}_{}\to {\mathrm{MA}}_{}+H_{2}O$

Example Reaction

${\mathrm{HCl}}_{}+{\mathrm{NaOH}}_{}\to {\mathrm{NaCl}}_{}+H_{2}O$

Applications

• Determining the concentration of an unknown solution (titration).
• Buffer preparation to stabilize pH in chemical processes.
• Neutralizing industrial waste to reduce environmental harm.

Questions for Students

1. Define neutralization and provide an example reaction.
2. What is a salt, and how is it formed in a neutralization reaction?
3. Explain the steps involved in a titration process.
4. Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between HCl and KOH.
5. List two real-world applications of neutralization reactions.