How is a neutralization reaction different from a single-displacement reaction?

↳Redirected from "What is a supersaturated solution?"
1 Answer
BRIAN M.
May 27, 2014

A neutralization is not like a single replacement reaction. It is a double replacement reaction.

An acid and base neutralization involves an aqueous acid solution and an aqueous base solution combining in a double replacement reaction to form a salt and water.

Nitric acid plus calcium hydroxide yield calcium nitrate and water

#2HNO_3# + #Ca(OH)_2# -------> #Ca(NO_3)_2# + #2H_2O#

#HNO_3# has a leading hydrogen, usually a tip off that this is an acid
#Ca(OH)_2# has a trailing hydroxide usually a tip off that this is a base

The positive ion #Ca^+2# from the base joins the negative ion #NO_3# from the acid to form the salt. #Ca(NO_3)_2#

The #H^+# from the acid joins the #OH^-# from the base to form water #H_2O#

Since both partners in the reactants are changing to new partners in the products this is a double replacement reaction.

Always in a neutralization reaction the products are two neutral substance salt and water.

I hope this was helpful.
SMARTERTEACHER

Related questions
See all questions in Neutralization
Impact of this question
5818 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License