Question

Describe the process that takes place between the participants in the neutralization reaction between the strong acid hydrochloric acid, HCl(aq), and the strong base sodium hydroxide, NaOH(aq), forming water and sodium chloride, NaCl(aq). Mention the nature of the particles in the solution before and after the reaction.

Because hydrochloric acid is an acid it reacts with water to form hydronium ions and chloride ions. Because it is a strong acid, the reaction is a complete reaction leaving only hydronium ions and chloride ions in solution. Because sodium hydroxide is a strong base, it completely dissolves in water to form sodium ions and hydroxide ions.

The instant the two solutions are mixed the solution contains the following particles: (Select all that apply.)
chloride ions, hydrochloric acid molecules hydroxide ions, hydronium ions, sodium hydroxide molecules, sodium ions, water molecules or none of the above.

Answer 1

Acid-base neutralization reactions are exothermic in nature, that means it gives of heat in the reaction.

In a neutralization reaction between 1 mole of a strong acid such as HCl and 1 mole of a strong base such as NaOH, we get 1 mole of salt formed NaCl and 1 mole of H2O.

Both HCl and NaOH being strong acid and base completely dissociates into its ions, HCl into H+ and Cl- and NaOH into Na+ and OH- ions in solution. The net ionic reaction for this neutralization reaction thus becomes,

H+(aq) + OH-(aq) <==> H2O(l)

If we know moles of water formed or generated, we can easily determine the moles of acid and base reacted in the neutralization process.