Question

How can I balance neutralization reactions?

Answer 1

FIRST remember that you are not balancing the reaction (because it happens spontaneously in the real world) but you are balancing the equation of that reaction, to predict the amount of reactant that are consumed and products that are formed.

After that, the answer is:

Remember that the acid molecules must donate as many hydrogen ions as many hydroxide ions you have in the base, to get the same number of water molecules.

For example, if you must neutralize aluminium hydroxide `Al(OH)_3` with sulphuric acid `H_2SO_4`, so you have three hydroxide ions per base formula and two hydrogen ions given per acid formula, you should take three sulphuric acid molecules per two aluminium hydroxide units to make up as many hydrogen ions (six) as many hydroxide ions (six) and obtain the same number of water molecules:

`3 H_2SO_4` + `2 Al(OH)_3` → `Al_2(SO_4)_3` + `6H_2O`