Neutralisation

This lesson covers: 

  1. What happens when an acid reacts with an alkali
  2. How to make salts through neutralisation
  3. Naming salts made through neutralisation

Neutralisation reactions

Neutralisation reactions occur when acids and alkalis react together.


Acid + Alkali → Salt + Water


When an acid and an alkali react, they form a neutral solution containing a salt and water.

Making salts by neutralisation - step 1

Illustration showing acid being added to alkali drop by drop in a beaker.

1Carefully add acid to alkali drop by drop.

Making salts by neutralisation - step 2

Illustration showing universal indicator paper turning green in a solution indicating neutral pH.

2Universal indicator paper will turn green when solution reaches a neutral pH.

Making salts by neutralisation - step 3

Illustration showing a salt solution being heated with a Bunsen burner.

3Heat the neutral salt solution in evaporating dish to boil off some of the water.

Making salts by neutralisation - step 4

Diagram showing an evaporating dish with salt crystals.

4Allow remaining solution to cool and evaporate slowly overnight leaving salt crystals.

Naming salts

The type of salt produced can be controlled by the type of acid reactant used.

  • Hydrochloric acid makes chloride salts e.g. sodium chloride.
  • Sulfuric acid makes sulfate salts e.g. copper sulfate.
  • Nitric acid makes nitrate salts e.g. sodium nitrate.