What are the general products of an acid-base neutralization?

• A. Water and salt
• B. Acid and base
• C. Gas and water
• D. Salt and hydrogen

Answer: (A)

In an acid-base neutralization, the hydrogen ion from the acid meets the hydroxide ion from the base and they form water. The remaining ions—the cation from the base and the anion from the acid—combine to make a salt. So the general products are water and a salt. For example, hydrochloric acid reacting with sodium hydroxide yields sodium chloride (a salt) and water. This shows that no matter which acid and base you use, the typical outcome is water plus a salt.