Final answer:
The neutralization reaction between HCl and NaOH produces NaCl and H2O as the sole products, with no major or minor products other than these. The net ionic equation is H+(aq) + OH−(aq) → H2O(l).
Step-by-step explanation:
The reaction in question is a neutralization reaction where hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) react to form sodium chloride (NaCl) and water (H2O). Given that HCl and NaOH are both strong and they completely dissociate in water, this reaction goes to completion and does not result in any major or minor products beyond the two mentioned.
The balanced molecular equation for this neutralization reaction is:
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
The complete ionic equation illustrates the dissociated ions:
H+(aq) + Cl−(aq) + Na+(aq) + OH−(aq) → Na+(aq) + Cl−(aq) + H2O(l)
Since Na+ and Cl− are spectator ions, they can be omitted to give the net ionic equation:
H+(aq) + OH−(aq) → H2O(l)
This shows the direct reaction of the hydrogen ion with the hydroxide ion to produce water.