Writing Neutralisation Equations

LO: To be able to write word equations for the reactions of acids with metals, metal oxides, metal hydroxides and metal carbonates

Read through just page four (Naming and Making Salts) on this bbc bitesize page.


General Neutralisation Equations

Acids can be neutralised with the following four substances:

  1. Alkalis (metal hydroxides)​
  2. Bases (metal oxides)​
  3. Metal carbonates​
  4. Metal

The general word equation for each reaction is represented as:

acid + metal hydroxide      ---->         metal salt + water​

acid + metal oxide            ---->          metal salt + water​

acid + metal carbonate     ---->         metal salt + water + carbon dioxide​

acid + metal                       ---->       metal salt + hydrogen​

Don't forget:

 the test for hydrogen - it pops with a lit spill

the test for carbon dioxide - it turns limewater cloudy

Have a go at completing the following neutralisation equations.  Don't forget to include the  water/carbon dioxide or hydrogen as well.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Hydrochloric acid   +   sodium carbonate   ---->                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             ​Sulphuric acid + copper oxide ​ ---->                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ​Sulphuric acid + zinc ​ ---->                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Nitric acid + silver hydroxide ​ ---->

If you would like to have a go at writing symbol equations then use the following information:

Hydroxide - OH​

Hydrochloric acid - HCl​

Sulphuric acid - H2SO4​

Nitric acid - HNO3​

Sulphate - SO4​

Nitrate - NO3​


What you should know:

  • An acid can be neutralised by a metal, metal oxide, metal hydroxide and a metal carbonate.
  • When an acid is neutralised by a metal it will make a salt and hydrogen
  • When an acid is neutralised by a metal oxide or hydroxide it will make a salt and water
  • When an acid is neutralised by a metal carbonate it will make a salt and water and carbon dioxide