How do you do acid base neutralization reactions?

1 Answer

An acid and and base neutralization involves an aqueous acid solution and an aqueous base solution combining in a double replacement reaction to form a salt and water.

Nitric acid plus calcium hydroxide yield calcium nitrate and water

2HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 -------> Ca(NO3)2 + 2H2O

HNO3 has a leading hydrogen, usually a tip off that this is an acid
Ca(OH)2 has a trailing hydroxide usually a tip off that this is a base

The positive ion Ca+2 from the base joins the negative ion NO3 from the acid to form the salt. Ca(NO3)2

The H+ from the acid joins the OH from the base to form water H2O

Always in a neutralization reaction the products are two neutral substance salt and water.

Complete explanation with nice pictures on this website: http://study.com/academy/lesson/neutralization-reaction-definition-equation-examples.html