Everything about Neutralization Chemistry totally explained
Neutralization is a
chemical reaction, also called a
water forming reaction, in which an
acid and a
base or alkali (soluble base) react and produce a
salt and
water solution (H
2O).
In other words, it can be said that neutralization is the combination of
hydrogen ions H
+ and
hydroxide ions OH
− (or
oxide ions O
2−) to form
water molecule H
2O. In the process, a
salt is formed.
In the process of neutralization a
proton (usually
hydrogen) is transferred. An
acid is a proton donor, while a
base is a proton receiver.
H
2O can act as either an acid or a base, depending on whether it comes in contact with an acid or a base; it takes the opposite form. Neutralization is generally
exothermic, meaning it produces
heat. One example of an endothermic neutralization is that of baking soda and vinegar (or other weak acids).
Most generally, the following occurs:
» acid + base → salt + water
For example, the reaction between
Hydrochloric acid and
sodium hydroxide solutions:
» hydrochloric acid + sodium hydroxide → sodium chloride + water
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
Since the HCl and NaOH dissociate into
ions in solution, the ionic equation is:
» H+(aq) + Cl−(aq) + Na+(aq) + OH−(aq) → Na+(aq) + Cl−(aq) + H2O(l)
And since the sodium and chloride ions are just
spectator ions not involved in the reaction, the net equation becomes:
» H+(aq) + OH−(aq) → H2O(l) : ΔrH = −55.90 kJ mol−1
This illustrates why neutralization reactions are also referred to as
water forming reactions. Of course the sodium and chloride ions are still in solution so the result is
pH neutral salt water.
Therefore we can conclude -
acid + alkali = metal salt + water
acid + metal = metal salt + hydrogen
acid + metal oxide = metal salt + water
acid + metal hydroxide = metal salt + water
acid + ammonia = ammonia salt + water
acid + metal carbonate = metal salt + water + carbon dioxide
acid + metal hydrogencarbonate = metal salt + water + carbon dioxide
The last two reactions are not considered as neutralization in some contexts because carbon dioxide is formed in addition to salt and water.
Chemical
titration methods are used for analyzing acids or bases to determine the unknown
concentration. A
pH meter can be used to determine the point of neutralization or a
pH indicator such as UI (universal indicator) which shows the point of neutralization by a distinct color change can be used. Simple
stoichiometric calculations with the known volume of the unknown and the known volume and
molarity of the added chemical gives the molarity of the unknown.
Excess
gastric acid in the stomach (
acid indigestion) is typically neutralized by the ingestion of
sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO
3) or another neutralizing agent such as an
antacid.
Neutralization can also be used to reduce the pain of insect and plant stings. Bee stings can be neutralized with alkalis and wasps with acids. Nettle stings can be neutralized with alkalis like the one found in dock leaves.
In neutron
wastewater treatment, chemical neutralization methods are often applied to reduce the damage that an effluent may cause upon release to the environment. For pH control, popular chemicals include
Calcium Carbonate,
Calcium Oxide,
Magnesium Hydroxide, and
sodium bicarbonate. The selection of an appropriate neutralization chemical depends on the particular application.
Equal amounts (numbers of
moles) of acid and base are needed for neutralization reactions between strong acids and strong bases. Use the formula:
a × [A] × V
a = b × [B] × V
b
where a is the number of acidic hydrogens and b is the constant that tells you how many H
3O
+ ions the base can accept. [A] denotes the concentration of acid and [B], the concentration of base. V
a is the volume of acid and V
b is the volume of base.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Neutralization Chemistry'.
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