Which products are formed when an acid reacts with a base?

Which products are formed when an acid reacts with a base?

• A. An alcohol and carbon dioxide
• B. An ester and water
• C. A soap and glycerin
• D. A salt and water

Answer: (D)

When an acid meets a base, the reaction is a neutralization: the hydrogen ions from the acid combine with hydroxide ions from the base to form water. The remaining ions—the base’s cation and the acid’s anion—partner to form a salt. That’s why the products are a salt and water. For example, HCl reacting with NaOH gives NaCl and H2O. The other described product sets come from different types of reactions: esterification would make an ester and water, saponification would yield soap and glycerin, and reactions with carbonates produce carbon dioxide.

When an acid meets a base, the reaction is a neutralization: the hydrogen ions from the acid combine with hydroxide ions from the base to form water. The remaining ions—the base’s cation and the acid’s anion—partner to form a salt. That’s why the products are a salt and water. For example, HCl reacting with NaOH gives NaCl and H2O. The other described product sets come from different types of reactions: esterification would make an ester and water, saponification would yield soap and glycerin, and reactions with carbonates produce carbon dioxide.