Question
Question: What happens in an acid-base reaction?...
What happens in an acid-base reaction?
Solution
The neutralization reaction takes place between an acid and a base. In this type of reaction, transfer of proton takes place. Acid are those substances which gives hydrogen ion (H+) in the solution while bases are those which give hydroxide ion (OH−) in the solution.
Complete answer:
The reaction where an acid and a base are used as reactants are called an acid-base reaction. These types of reactions are called neutralization reactions. The products of this chemical reaction are salt and water. This is illustrated by the following diagram-
HCl+NaOH→NaCl+H2O
In the above diagram, HCl acts as an acid and NaOHacts as a base. The products formed during this reaction are NaCl which is salt (common salt) and water. Herein, hydrogen ion (H+) is transferred from HClto NaOH.
Therefore, a neutralization reaction happens in an acid-base reaction which leads to the formation of salt and water as products.
Additional information:
Acids and bases are further divided into two sub categories i.e strong and weak. Strong acids are those which dissociate completely in water to give hydrogen ion (H+) while weak acids are those which dissociate partially in water. On the similar lines, strong bases are those which dissociate completely in water and give hydroxide ion (OH−) while weak are those which dissociate partially in water. There are many scientists such as Arrhenius, Bronsted and Lowry who gave the concept of acid and bases.
Note:
It is important to note that the neutralization reaction takes place in an acid-base reaction. The products of acid-base reactions are salt and water. In this type of reaction, the transfer of protons takes place.