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Neutralization is a reaction between an acid and a base that forms salt and water. Neutralization reaction is used in many of our daily activities, including brushing our gums, washing our hair with shampoo and conditioner, gardening, etc.
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Keywords: Acid, Base, Hydrogen, Ions, Salt, Neutral, Reaction
What Is A Neutralization Reaction?
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A neutralization reaction is specialized as:
- A neutralization reaction occurs when an acid and a base combine to form water and salt as the products.
- Water is formed when hydrogen ions from the acid combine with the hydroxide ions from the base.
- When a strong acid and a weak base are neutralized, the resulting pH is less than 7, but when the strong base neutralizes a weak acid, the resulting pH is greater than 7.
- When a solution is neutralized, the amount of acid required is equal to one mole of a proton (H+), and the amount of base required is equal to one mole of (OH-).
- Because salts are formed by neutralization reactions with the equivalent acid and base concentrations, N parts acid will always neutralize with the N parts base.
The neutralization reaction is given by:
| Base + Acid Salt + Water |
Neutralization
Importance Of Neutralization Reaction In Daily Life
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Here are some of the common neutralization reactions which we encounter on a daily basis to help us understand the significance of neutralization reactions in our lives.
Antacids
Importance of antacids are:
- Antacids are commonly prescribed to people who suffer from acid reflux. This is due to the presence of bases in antacids such as magnesium hydroxide (Mg (OH)2), aluminum hydroxide (Al (OH)3), and others.
- The combination of acid produced by the body and the externally added base tends to cause a neutralization reaction, which relieves pain and temporarily cures the disease.
- Milk of magnesia is sometimes recommended for indigestion and other stomach problems.
Acids in Body
Treating Wasp Sting
Importance of bases in treating wasp stings are:
- Because of the release of formic acid, ant bites and bee stings cause inflammation, irritation, and pain all around the infected area. Bases such as baking soda, and baking powder, are applied to the infected area as a medication.
- The bases help to reduce inflammation and pain by neutralizing the formic acid ejected by bee or ant stings.
- Similarly, vinegar is applied to the infected area after a wasp sting. This is due to the alkaline nature of the chemical released by the wasp during the sting, which is efficiently neutralized by an acetic solution such as vinegar.
Wasp Sting
Soil Treatment
Neutralization is also used as a soil treatment. Its role in treating soil is specified below:
- Farming relies heavily on neutralization. The essence of the soil should be neutral for the crop production of healthy crops, i.e., neither too acidic nor too basic.
- The excessive use of chemical compounds, pesticides, and fertilizers, makes the soil acidic or basic in nature.
- As a result, before planting a new crop, the soil must be thoroughly examined. If the soil is acidic, bases like quick lime (calcium oxide), slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), and so on can be used to neutralize it.
- Or, if soil is basic, organic matter including such composts are used to release acids as well as restore the soil's neutral strength.
Uses Of Neutralization
Industrial Waste Treatment
Importance of neutralization in waste treatment is discussed below:
- Toxic and acidic waste are produced by all types of factories. The hazardous waste produced by such factories is typically discharged into nearby flowing water bodies such as rivers.
- This has an effect on the health of species of marine life. To reduce the damage caused by the waste's acidic nature, the neutralization reaction is used to treat waste.
Shampoo & Conditioner
Neutralization is also used in hair care, such as:
- The neutralization reaction is easily observed by looking at the effect of conditioner and shampoo on one's hair.
- Hair conditioners are mild acids that help restore moisture and smoothness to the hair by neutralizing its alkaline nature.
Formation Of Table Salts
Neutralization as a table salt:
- One of the most common examples of a neutralization reaction is the formation of sodium chloride (NaCl) or table salt.
- When we combine hydrochloric acid (HCl) with the base sodium hydroxide (NaOH), we get sodium chloride (NaCl) and water (H2O).
- This reaction is exothermic, which means it generates a lot of heat.
Salt
Brushing Teeth
Neutralization reaction as a toothpaste:
- Brushing one's teeth with the basic toothpaste is a classic example of an everyday neutralization reaction.
- The decaying food particles in our teeth produce acid, which causes tooth decay.
- Brushing one's teeth at least twice a day is recommended to balance the excessive production of acid in the mouth.
- This is due to the alkaline or basic nature of toothpaste, which tends to neutralize the acid released by food particles in the mouth.
Things To Remember
- Acids have a sour taste. Bases are typically bitter to the taste and soapy to the touch.
- Blue litmus becomes red when exposed to acid. Bases become red litmus blue.
- Neutral substances are those that are neither acidic nor basic.
- Indicators are substances that have different colors in acidic, basic, and neutral solutions.
- A salt is formed when an acid and a base neutralize each other. Salt can be acidic, basic, or neutral.
Sample Questions
Ques. Explain the distinctions between Acids and Bases. (3 Marks)
Ans. The Difference between Acids and Bases are:
| Acids | Bases |
|---|---|
| Acids have a sour taste | Bases have a bitter taste |
| Acids cause blue litmus paper to turn red | The base has no effect on the colour of blue litmus paper |
| Acids have no effect on the colour of red litmus paper | Bases cause red litmus paper to turn blue |
| Turmeric's color is unaffected by acids | Bases cause turmeric to turn red |
Ques. Give some examples of strong acids and bases. (3 Marks)
Ans. Here are some examples of strong acids and bases:
Hydroiodic acid, Hydrochloric acid, Chloric acid, Nitric acid, Sulphuric acid, Perchloric acid, and Hydrobromic acid are examples of strong acids.
Calcium hydroxide, Lithium hydroxide, Caesium hydroxide, Potassium hydroxide, Sodium hydroxide, and other strong bases
Ques. Using an example, describe the neutralization process. (3 Marks)
Ans. A neutralization reaction occurs when an acid and a base react. Both acids and bases are neutralized here. When sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is combined with sodium chloride (NaCl), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and water (H2O) are formed.
NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O + Heat
Ques. Dorji's restaurant sells a few bottles of soft drinks. Unfortunately, these are unlabelled. He must serve drinks based on customer demand. One customer prefers acidic drinks, another prefers basic drinks, and a third prefers neutral drinks. Dorji will have to decide who gets which drink. (3 Marks)
Ans. Dorji can taste a few drops of soft drink bottles; acidic solutions taste sour, basic solutions taste bitter, and neutral solutions have no taste. Dorji can test the nature of soft drinks using litmus paper in addition to tasting.
To test the acidic solution, he should use blue litmus paper. Dorji must place a drop of solution on blue litmus paper. If it turns red, it means the solution is acidic.
Similarly, he can test the basic solution with red litmus paper. He must place a drop of solution on red litmus paper. If it turns blue, the solution will be fundamental in nature.
Ques. Mark the statement with a 'T' if it is true and an 'F' if it is false (5 Marks)
(i) Nitric acid causes red litmus to turn blue. (T/F)
(ii) Sodium hydroxide causes blue litmus to turn red. (T/F)
(iii) Sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid react to form salt and water. (T/F)
(iv) An indicator is a substance that changes colour in acidic and basic solutions. (T/F)
(v) The presence of a base causes tooth decay. (T/F)
Ans.
(i) False
(ii) False
(iii) True
(iv) True
(v) False
Ques. Explain. (5 Marks)
(a) When you have acid reflux, you should take an antacid tablet.
(b) When an ant bites, a calamine solution is applied to the skin.
(c) Factory waste is neutralized before being disposed of in bodies of water.
Ans.
(i) The antacid tablet contains a base, similar to milk of magnesia, that neutralizes stomach acid. As a result, it is used to treat acidity.
(ii) When an ant bites, formic acid is injected into the skin. Calamine is made up of zinc carbonate, which is a basic mineral. Calamine thus neutralizes the effect of formic acid, providing relief to the affected person.
(iii) Factory wastes are acidic in nature and may harm aquatic life. As a result, they are neutralized with a base before being disposed of in bodies of water.
Ques. You are given three liquids. The first is hydrochloric acid, the second is sodium hydroxide, and the third is a sugar solution. How will you recognize them? You only have a turmeric indicator. (5 Marks)
Ans. To test the given liquids, the following steps are taken:
- Apply a drop of the supplied liquid to the turmeric indicator. The solution that turns the indicator red is sodium hydroxide, which is basic in nature.
- To make two mixtures, add a drop of sodium hydroxide to each of the other two liquids separately.
- Each combination was added to the turmeric indicator one at a time.
- A neutral solution of sugar is included in the mixture that turns the indicator red.
- While the mixture contains hydrochloric acid that has been neutralized by the addition of sodium hydroxide, the indicator does not change color.
Ques. What is formed during neutralization? (1 Mark)
Ans. During the process of neutralization reaction, water and salt is formed
Ques. Can a base neutralize an acid? (1 Mark)
Ans. Yes, a base can neutralize an acid. To neutralize an acid a weak base like sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxideand ammonium hydroxide are used.
Ques. What is the test for acids and bases using litmus paper? (1 Mark)
Ans. Acids turn blue litmus paper red while bases turn red litmus paper blue.
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