Neutralization occurs when acid reacts with base to form a salt and water. Base can be metal oxide or metal hydroxide.

H+ ions from acid react with O2- ions from the metal oxide or OH- ions from metal hydroxides, forming water molecules, H2O.  Resulting mixture - neutral.

Base + acid = salt + water

Examples:
Magnesium oxide + dilute sulfuric acid magnesium sulfate + water MgO(s) + H2SO4 (aq) MgSO4 +  H2O (l) copper (II)hydroxide + dilute nitric acid copper(II)nitrate + water. Cu(OH)2(s) + 2HNO3(aq) Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2H2)(l)

  • Surfaces of copper objects become tarnished as they react with oxygen in the air from copper(II)oxide. 
  • copper(II)oxide based on reactions with acids. 

List of neutral oxides (do not form any salt):

  • Nitrous oxide
  • Nitric oxide
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Water

When an acid reacts with aqueous ammonia an ammonium salt is formed. example: no water is formed in this process though


Ionic Equation for reaction between Acid and Base is: