Neutralisation reactions9Eb
We can use different models to show what happens in
neutralisation reactions.
Click a button to find out more.
Word equations Symbol equations
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
The general word equationfor a neutralisation reaction is:
acid + base → salt + water
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
In a neutralisation reaction, the different parts of the acid and
base separate.
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
In the reaction zincoxideand nitricacidthey separate to form four
parts.
zinc oxide nitric acid
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
In the reaction zincoxideand nitricacidthey separate to form four
parts.
zinc oxide nitric acid
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
The zincand nitricparts combine to form a salt.
zinc
oxide
nitric
acid
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
The zincand nitricparts combine to form a salt.
zinc
oxide
nitric
acid
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
When the nitricpart combines to form a salt, its name becomes
nitrate.
zinc nitric
oxide
acid
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
So the salt is called zincnitrate.
zinc nitrate
oxide
acid
nitric
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
The acid and oxide parts then combine …
zinc nitrate
oxide
acid
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
The acid and oxide parts then combine …
zinc nitrate
oxide
acid
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
… and form water.
zinc waternitrate acid oxide
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
The complete word equation is:
+ →
+zinc waternitrate
zinc oxide nitric acid
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
We can represent neutralisation reactions as symbol equations.
We will look at the reaction of zinc oxide (ZnO) and sulphuric acid
(H
2
SO
4
)
Zn SO
4
H
2
O
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
The zincoxide(ZnO) and sulphuricacid(H
2
SO
4
) separate into
four parts.
Zn SO
4
H
2
O
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
The zincoxide(ZnO) and sulphuricacid(H
2
SO
4
) separate into
four parts.
Zn SO
4
H
2
O
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
The zincand sulphuricparts combine to form a salt.
Zn
SO
4
H
2 O
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
The zincand sulphuricparts combine to form a salt.
H
2 O
Zn
SO
4
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
When the sulphuricpart combines to form a salt, its name
becomes sulphate. So the salt is zincsulphate.
Zn SO
4
H
2 O
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
The acidand oxideparts then combine to form hydrogenoxide
or water.
Zn SO
4
H
2 O
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
The acidand oxideparts then combine to form hydrogenoxideor
water.
Zn SO
4
H
2 O
Neutralisation reactions9Eb
The complete symbol equation is:
+ → +
Zn SO
4
H
2
O Zn SO
4
H
2
O