Neutralization Reactions and Titrations

Neutralization Reactions and Titrations

Neutralization:

A neutralization reaction between an acid and a base in aqueous solution produces an ionic compound (generically referred to as a salt) and water. It can be described as a double exchange reaction in which the two compounds exchange cations. The pH of the product approaches 7. This is because the H⁺ and OH⁻ ions are being converted into water molecules. As their concentrations decrease, the pH will move closer to 7. 

Titrations:

A titration is a procedure in which a neutralization reaction is monitored with an indicator (such as phenolphthalein) allowing you to calculate the unknown concentration of an acid or base

If the solution is acidic, a standard base solution is added until it is neutralized and vice versa.

The end point is indicated by a color change and is when the number of H⁺ ions is equivalent to the number of OH⁻ ions. Calculations are based off of the following formula

(Volume of acid)(Molarity of H⁺) = (volume of base)(Molarity of OH⁻)