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3.1.7—Neutralization reactions

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
3.1.7
Level
SL

Neutralization Reactions

Acids neutralize metal oxides and hydroxides to form salt and water. Carbonates and hydrogencarbonates also produce carbon dioxide when the reaction requires it; balance all formulae and coefficients.

Identify the parent acid and parent base of a salt by tracing its anion and cation back to the neutralization reactants.

Balance proton capacity as well as atoms: H₂SO₄ + 2NaOH → Na₂SO₄ + 2H₂O, while an acid–carbonate reaction also releases CO₂. To identify parents of Na₂SO₄, trace SO₄²⁻ to the acid and Na⁺ to the base rather than treating the salt name as a reaction equation.

Writing Neutralization Equations

Assessment in practice

Representative question

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Write two equations showing how these antacids neutralize excess hydrochloric acid.

Magnesium carbonate:

Aluminium hydroxide:

Proton Transfer Reactions Summary

Retrieve the route: track proton transfer and conjugates, calculate pH and Kw, distinguish strength, balance neutralization, read titration curves, use Ka/Kb and hydrolysis, select indicators, and explain and calculate buffer behaviour.

Check donor versus acceptor, one-proton differences, logarithm direction, ion comparison, strength versus concentration, equivalence versus endpoint, pKa landmarks, conjugate equations and dilution ratios.