What is neutralization in acid-base reactions?

Neutralization in acid-base reactions refers to the process where an acid reacts with a base to produce water and a salt. This reaction is characterized by the exchange of hydrogen ions (H⁺) from the acid and hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from the base, resulting in the formation of water (H₂O) while the remaining ions combine to form a salt.

In practical terms, when you mix hydrochloric acid (HCl) with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the H⁺ ions from HCl and the OH⁻ ions from NaOH react to form water. The sodium ions (Na⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻) remain in solution and combine to make sodium chloride (NaCl), which is table salt. This highlights the quintessential neutralization reaction where the properties of both the acid and the base are effectively neutralized.

Other options do not correctly define neutralization. The formation of an acid from a base implies a transformation in the reverse sense and does not encapsulate the neutralization concept. Mixing two acids does not involve a base, hence does not result in the salt and water that characterize neutralization. Heating an acid solution also has no direct connection to neutralization, as it doesn't involve