What Happens in a Neutralization Reaction?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 28, 2020

During a neutralization reaction, protons and hydroxide ions combine to create water molecules, while the remaining ions from the original acid and base create salt molecules. Neutralization reactions begin when an acid and a base are dissolved in water, and the ions split apart.

An example of a neutralization reaction is when sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) are dissolved in water and react. The OH^– ions combine with the H⁺ ions to produce water, while the Na⁺ ions combine with the Cl^– ions to produce sodium chloride. Sodium chloride is more commonly known as simple table salt. All neutralization reactions create a salt of some kind.