What are the products of a complete neutralization between a strong acid and a strong base in aqueous solution?

• A. A salt and water
• B. Water only
• C. A gas
• D. A solid

Answer: (A)

When a strong acid reacts with a strong base in water, the hydrogen ions from the acid combine with the hydroxide ions from the base to form water, and the remaining ions pair up to form a salt. Because both substances dissociate completely, the reaction goes to completion, leaving only water and a salt in solution. For example, HCl and NaOH react to give NaCl and H2O. The water comes from H+ and OH- joining, while the salt forms from Na+ and Cl-. There’s no gas or solid produced under normal aqueous conditions, unlike other reactions that generate CO2 or a precipitate.