Reaction of an acid with a base (neutralization) always produces a salt and water.
The products do not have characteristics of either acids or bases. Instead, a neutral salt and water are formed. Look at the reaction below:
SparkNotes: SAT Chemistry: Acid–Base Reactions: Neutralization Reactions via kwout
When an acid dissolves in water, some of the hydrogen is released as hydrogen ions, H⁺. An acid is a substance that produces hydrogen ions in a water solution. It is the ability to produce these ions that gives acids their characteristic properties. When an acid dissolves in water, H⁺ ions interact with water molecules to form H₃O⁺ ions, which are called hydronium ions.
Bases can be defined in two ways. Any substance that forms hydroxide ions, OH⁻, in a water solution is a base. In addition, a base is any substance that accepts H⁺ from acids. The definitions are related, because the OH⁻ ions produced by some bases do accept H⁺ ions.
Refer to this pdf document: Acids, Bases, and Salts to learn more.
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