Question

How to do acid base neutralization reactions work?

Answer 1

Acids are defined as proton donors and bases as proton acceptors. Neutralisation is when both are in equilibrium.

Explanation:

A proton is nothing more than an ionized hydrogen atom `H^+`

Most common acids are characterized by the hydronium ion, which looks like `H_3O^+`. This can donate a proton and turn into water:

`H_3O^(+) -> H_2O+H^+`

A common base has the hydroxide ion `OH^-`

And these combine: `H_3O^(+) +OH^(-) ->2H_2O`
Or more commonly: `H^(+) +OH^(-) ->H_2O`

There are many more acid-base reactions, like between acid and metal oxide, or between base and non-metal oxide, but the above is the one that is most usually called an acid-base reaction.