What is the name of the reaction when an acid reacts with an alkali?

• A. Oxidation
• B. Combustion
• C. Neutralisation
• D. Precipitation

Answer: (C)

Neutralisation is the reaction that happens when an acid reacts with an alkali to form a salt and water. In this process, the hydrogen ions from the acid combine with the hydroxide ions from the alkali to make H2O, while the remaining ions join to form the salt, such as HCl reacting with NaOH to produce NaCl and H2O. The solution typically becomes less acidic and moves toward neutral pH. This reaction is usually exothermic, though the heat released depends on the strengths of the acid and base. The other listed processes don’t describe this interaction: oxidation involves electron transfer, combustion is burning in oxygen, and precipitation is the formation of a solid from ions in solution. So the correct term is neutralisation.