Neutralization of Acids
When dissolved in water, the strong base sodium hydroxide ionizes into hydroxide and sodium ions:
- NaOH → Na+ + OH−
and similarly, in water hydrogen chloride forms hydronium and chloride ions:
- HCl + H2O → H3O+ + Cl−
When the two solutions are mixed, the H3O+ and OH− ions combine to form water molecules:
- H3O+ + OH− → 2 H2O
If equal quantities of NaOH and HCl are dissolved, the base and the acid neutralize exactly, leaving only NaCl, effectively table salt, in solution.
Weak bases, such as baking soda or egg white, should be used to neutralize any acid spills. Neutralizing acid spills with strong bases, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide can cause a violent exothermic reaction, and the base itself can cause just as much damage as the original acid spill.
Read more about this topic: Base (chemistry)
Famous quotes containing the word acids:
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