Neutralisation
Aim: To find out how to neutralise an acid using an alkali.
Acids and alkalis react with each other. The alkali cancels out the acid in the reaction. This is
called neutralization. A salt is made. The salt contains the metal atom from the alkali, and part of
the acid molecule. The salt depends on the acid and alkali used.
Method:
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Place 20 drops of Hydrochloric acid into a test tube.
Add one drop of Universal Indicator.
Notice the colour of the liquid.
Now keep adding drops of Sodium Hydroxide.
Count the number of drops until the solution turns green (pH7).
The word equation for a neutralisation reaction is:
Acid + Alkali → Salt + Water
In the case of this experiment:
Hydrochloric Acid + Sodium Hydroxide → Sodium Chloride + Water
We can also write this using formula as:
HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O