During neutralization of a strong acid with a strong base, the products are

During neutralization of a strong acid with a strong base, the products are

• A. HCl
• B. NaOH
• C. H2O and NaCl
• D. NaCl

Answer: (C)

When a strong acid reacts with a strong base, the H+ from the acid and the OH− from the base combine to form water. Because both are strong, they dissociate completely, so all H+ and OH− are consumed. The remaining ions—the cation from the base and the anion from the acid—pair to form a salt. In the common example, Na+ from the base and Cl− from the acid come together to make NaCl, while H+ and OH− produce H2O. So the products are water and the salt NaCl.

When a strong acid reacts with a strong base, the H+ from the acid and the OH− from the base combine to form water. Because both are strong, they dissociate completely, so all H+ and OH− are consumed. The remaining ions—the cation from the base and the anion from the acid—pair to form a salt. In the common example, Na+ from the base and Cl− from the acid come together to make NaCl, while H+ and OH− produce H2O. So the products are water and the salt NaCl.