When an acid reacts with a base, what compounds are formed?

When an acid reacts with a base, the primary compounds formed are water and a salt. This type of reaction is known as a neutralization reaction.

In a typical neutralization reaction, the acid donates a proton (H⁺) to the base, which accepts the proton. This transfer of protons results in the formation of water (H₂O). Meanwhile, the remaining parts of the acid and the base combine to form a salt, which is an ionic compound.

For example, if hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the products of this reaction are water and sodium chloride (NaCl), which is table salt:

Reaction:
HCl + NaOH → H₂O + NaCl

This fundamental concept is significant in various applications, from chemistry labs to cooking, where understanding how acids and bases interact can help achieve the desired pH levels in solutions.