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3 Neutralization of acids
When dissolved in water, sodium hydroxide decomposes into hydroxide and sodium ions:
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and similarly, hydrochloric acid forms hydronium and chloride ions:
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When the two solutions are mixed, the H+ and OH− ions combine to form water molecules:
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If equal amounts of NaOH and HCl (measured in moles, not grams) are dissolved, the base and the acid exactly neutralize, leaving only NaCl ( table salt) in solution.
4 Alkalinity of non-hydroxides
Both sodium carbonate and ammonia are bases, although neither of these substances contains OH− groups. That is because both compounds accept H+ when dissolved in water:
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5 See also
Chemical compounds
