Final answer:
Excess hydrogen ions in a solution can be balanced by adding hydroxide ions. In an acidic solution, the excess hydrogen ions can be neutralized by adding hydroxide ions to form water.
Step-by-step explanation:
Excess hydrogen ions in a solution can be balanced by adding an equal number of hydroxide ions. In an acidic solution, the excess hydrogen ions can be neutralized by adding hydroxide ions (OH-) to form water (H2O).
For example, in human blood, excess hydrogen ions (H+) bind to bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) forming an equilibrium state with carbonic acid (H2CO3).
If carbonic acid were added to this system, some of it would be converted to bicarbonate and hydrogen ions.