Acids, Bases & the Neutralisation Reaction
Chemistry: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 7.1.12
Acids, Bases & The Neutralisation Reaction
Acids and bases react in neutralisation to form water.
What are acids and bases?
- Acids are chemicals that release H+; ions in water.
- Bases release OH- ions in water.
- Acids taste sour; bases taste bitter.
- Acids and bases change the colour of indicators like litmus paper.
The neutralisation reaction
- Neutralisation happens when an acid reacts with a base.
- The H+ ions from the acid meet OH- ions from the base.
- They combine to form water (H2O).
- This is a key reaction in acid-base chemistry.
The chemical equation for neutralisation
- The equation is H+ (aq) + OH- (aq) → H2O(l).
- (aq) means ions dissolved in water; (l) means liquid water.
- Neutralisation removes acidity or alkalinity by forming water.
Why neutralisation matters
- Neutralisation is used to treat acid spills safely.
- It helps balance pH in soils and water.
- Humans use neutralisation in antacid tablets to ease stomach acid.
- This reaction makes some salts as well.