Neutralisation

• When an acidic solution is mixed with a basic solution, both the solutions neutralize the effect of each other.
• The resulting solution is neither acidic nor basic.
• In neutralization reaction a new substance is formed which is called salt. Salt may be acidic, basic or neutral in nature.
• The reaction between an acid and a base is known as neutralization.
• Salt and water are produced in this process with the evolution of heat.

• In neutralization reaction, heat is produced, or evolved due to which the temperature of the reaction mixture increases.

For example

Neutralisations In Everyday Life:

Indigestion:

• Our stomach contains hydrochloric acid which helps in digestion of food.
• But too much of acid in the stomach causes acidity.
• To relieve acidity we take antacids like Eno, Gelusil, etc.
• It neutralizes the effect of excessive acid.

Ant sting:

• The sting of an ant contains formic acid.
• When an ant bites, it injects the acidic liquid into the skin.

• The effect of the sting can be neutralized by rubbing moist baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) or calamine solution, which contains zinc carbonate.

Soil treatment:

• Excessive use of chemical fertilizers makes the soil acidic.
• Plants do not grow well when the soil is either too acidic or too basic.
• When the soil is too acidic, it is treated with bases like quick lime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide).
• If the soil is basic, organic matter is added to it.
• Decomposition of organic matter produces acids which neutralize the bases present in the soil.

Factory wastes:

• The wastes of many factories contain acids.

• If they are allowed to flow into the water bodies, the acids will kill fish and other organisms. The factory wastes are, therefore, neutralized by adding basic substances.