CHEM 0010 Unit


UNIT # 10
Introduction
Objectives
Reading
10.1 Properties of Acids and Bases 10.2 Strong/Weak Acids 10.3 Strong/Weak Bases 10.4 Neutralization Reactions 10.5 Calculations Involving Neutalization Reactions 10.6 pH & pOH Scales
Problems

ACIDS & BASES AND IONIC REACTIONS

10.4 - Neutralization Reactions

When an acid reacts with a base to produce a salt and water.

This type of reaction is called neutralization. Review section 8.4 about neutralization reactions.

Let's examine the reaction of HCl (aq) and NaOH (aq) in details.

We learned in section 10.2 and section 10.3 that, in aqueous solution, HCl and NaOH exist as ions in solution. The salt, NaCl, that forms is soluble in water, therefore, it also exists as ions in solution. Therefore, to describe the same reaction more precisely, we write the following reaction revealing the ions that exist in the solution.

Before reaction

After reaction

Careful inspection of the beakers will reveal that the ions that have undergone reaction are the H⁺ and OH^- ions. The Na⁺ ions and Cl^- ions remain unchanged before and after the reaction. The Na⁺ ions and the Cl^- ions are called spectator ions.

If we leave out the spectator ions, and write the equation involving those ions that participated in the reaction, we write the net ionic equation of neutralization.

Since H⁺ ions exist in solution as hydronium ions, H₃O⁺, we can write the net ionic equation in the following way.

Section 15.4
Reactions of Acids and Bases ..p412

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