Final answer:
When potassium hydroxide (KOH) is added to hydrochloric acid (HCl), a neutralization reaction occurs forming potassium chloride (KCl) and water (H₂O). The balanced chemical equation is HCl(aq) + KOH(aq) → KCl(aq) + H₂O(l).
Step-by-step explanation:
When a solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is added to a solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl), a neutralization reaction occurs. The products of this reaction are potassium chloride (KCl) and water (H₂O). The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
HCl(aq) + KOH(aq) → KCl(aq) + H₂O(l)
In this reaction, the hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from KOH combine with the hydrogen ions (H⁺) from HCl to form water, while the potassium ions (K⁺) from KOH combine with the chloride ions (Cl⁻) from HCl to form potassium chloride. The amount of KOH required to neutralize a certain amount of HCl can be calculated using stoichiometry and the balanced chemical equation.