Formation of common salt
What happens in the chemical sense in this neutralizing process is nicely illustrated by the formation of common salt from hydrochloric acid and caustic soda, also called sodium hydroxid. When these two substances are dissolved in water, and the solutions mixed, the chemical action is as follows:
HCL + NaOH = H2O + NaCl
Hydrochloric acid + Caustic soda = Water + Common salt
(Muriatic acid) (Sodium hydroxid) (Sodium chloride)
The strong hydrochloric acid with its pungent odor and sour taste, and the caustic alkali with its equally characteristic properties have both disappeared, Common examples of neutralization and in their place we find nothing more wonderful than common salt dissolved in water. Other forms of neutralization that are very common are vinegar (acetic acid C2H4O2) and soda, or sour milk (lactic acid C3H6O3) and soda. When bread is "sour," we mean that there was not enough soda to neutralize the acid.
PRINCIPLES OF NEUTRALIZING ALKALIS
If we should try many experiments of neutralizing alkalis with acids, we would discover these general rules:
1 All acids contain hydrogen.
2 All alkalis contain oxygen and hydrogen in equal proportions.
3 When these substances react, the hydrogen of the acid joins the hydrogen of the base or alkali, forming water, H2O.
4 The metal of the base always replaces the hydrogen of the acid.
2KOH + H2SO4 = K2SO4 + 2H2O
Potassium hydroxid + Sulfuric acid = Potassium Sulfate + Water
(alkali or base) (acid) (Salt)
(In the above equation the potassium (K) of the potassium hydroxid replaces the Hydrogen (H) in the sulfuric acid.)
5 The other elements of the original compounds unite to form a new substance, which is neither acid nor alkali, but which is termed a salt.