Question

Mixing an acid and a base (of the same strength and in equal amounts) will result in

a. combustion.
b. acidification.
c. neutralization.
d. intensification.

Answer 1

In my opinion, it is a rotten question, phrased as it is. It all depends on how much acid and how much base. It also depends on the type of acid (sulfuric acid reacts differently than hydrochloric - sulfuric has two atoms of hydrogen compared to hydrochloric which has one atom of hydrogen per molecule). It also can depend on the concentration - for example, if you're mixing a one molar solution of acid with a two molar solution of base, and on how much you are mixing - if you are mixing one liter of base with one liter of acid, or whatever. Your instructor needs to establish these things in order to make it a question you can actually answer.

But, your instructor probably means what happens if you add the same amount of an acid and a base together, and they have the same strength. Ideally, if you mix the same amounts of an acid and a base, and the acid has one atom of hydrogen, then you would get water plus a salt, which would have a neutral pH.

For example, HCl + NaOH, mixed in the same amounts and at the same concentrations would give you HOH (or water) plus NaCl (which is actually table salt). All acids and bases that are mixed in these equal concentrations always give you water plus a salt (although not always table salt - just what is chemically known as a "salt).

Answer 2

Answer: neutralization

Step-by-step explanation:

Mixing an acid and a base (of the same strength and in equal amounts) will result in neutralization.

Neutralization is defined as the mixing of acid and base to produce salt and water. Since acid has high concentration, it can only be neutralized by the effect of base of equal strength to produce water (water is a compound of pH of 7).