Which term is the neutral product of mixing an acid with a base?

Which term is the neutral product of mixing an acid with a base?

• A. Acid
• B. Salt
• C. Hydroxide ion
• D. Hydrogen ion (H+)

Answer: (B)

Neutralization of an acid and a base produces water and a salt. The acid donates a proton and the base provides hydroxide; they combine to form water, while the remaining ions from the acid and base pair up to form a salt. The salt is the neutral product among the options because it is the ionic compound that results from the reaction, after water (the other neutral product) is formed. For example, HCl reacting with NaOH gives NaCl (the salt) and H2O (water). The hydrogen ion and hydroxide ion aren’t the final products themselves; they form water, leaving the salt as the distinct product described here.

Neutralization of an acid and a base produces water and a salt. The acid donates a proton and the base provides hydroxide; they combine to form water, while the remaining ions from the acid and base pair up to form a salt. The salt is the neutral product among the options because it is the ionic compound that results from the reaction, after water (the other neutral product) is formed. For example, HCl reacting with NaOH gives NaCl (the salt) and H2O (water). The hydrogen ion and hydroxide ion aren’t the final products themselves; they form water, leaving the salt as the distinct product described here.