Question

Do acid base reactions produce heat?

Answer 1

The simple answer is yes. Why?

Explanation:

`"Bond breaking is an endothermic process"`; `"Bond making is an exothermic process"`.

The generalized acid base reaction is:

`H^+ + ""^(-)OH rarr H_2O`
else,
`H_3O^+ + ""^(-)OH rarr 2H_2O`

Both formalisms represent the MAKING of a strong `O-H` bond. The acid base reaction thus involves the transfer of heat to the surroundings on the basis of the `O-H` bond.

Note that the next time you do an acid base titration in the lab, you can usually notice the exotherm, as equivalence is reached. Try it.