Final answer:
The Qrxn of the reaction HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H₂O(l) is the net ionic equation: H+(aq) + OH−(aq) → H₂O(l), representing the production of water from the reaction of the hydrogen ion from hydrochloric acid with the hydroxide ion from sodium hydroxide.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Qrxn of the acid/base neutralization reaction HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H₂O(l) can be understood through net ionic equations. In a neutralization reaction, an acid and a base react to form water and a salt. The salt produced in this case is sodium chloride (NaCl), which is composed of spectator ions that do not participate directly in the reaction.
The net ionic equation for this reaction is H+ (aq) + OH−(aq) → H₂O(l), illustrating that the hydrogen ion (H+) from the acid combines with the hydroxide ion (OH−) from the base to form water (H2O).
Neutralization reactions like this one always involve the production of water and a salt from the reaction of an acid and a base. Since hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) are strong acid and base, respectively, they are fully ionized in aqueous solution. Their ionized forms interact to produce water, which is why the equation simplifies to the net ionic reaction above, showing the true chemical change occurring during the neutralization process.