What is produced in a neutralization reaction?

In a neutralization reaction, an acid reacts with a base to produce salt and water. This occurs because the acid donates protons (H⁺ ions) to the base, which accepts them, resulting in the formation of water (H₂O). The remaining ions from the acid and base combine to form a salt, which consists of the cation from the base and the anion from the acid. For example, if hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the products will be sodium chloride (NaCl), which is the salt, and water.

This process is fundamental in acid-base chemistry and demonstrates how acids and bases can neutralize each other, leading to the formation of compounds that are typically less reactive and often stable in nature. Therefore, the resulting products of a neutralization reaction are always salt and water, which explains why this answer is accurate.