Neutralisations in Everyday Life: Have you heard of neutralisation or neutralisation reactions? Neutralization refers to the reaction between acid and base to form a salt. Students learning about neutralisation need to follow the neutralisation equation reaction. Every acid and base react differently. Therefore, it is advisable to learn about the different reactions and make a choice.

Do you know what are the applications of neutralization? For the convenience of students, we will be mentioning the advantages of neutralization, different types of reactions and more. To get a better understanding of the reaction, students can refer to the article below. Let’s go through all the applications of neutralisation. Scroll to know more.

Neutralisation

The neutralisation reaction occurs when an acid reacts with a base to form salt and water. The resulting salts can be acidic, basic, or neutral. When strong acids react with a weak base, acidic salts form. When a strong base reacts with a weak acid, basic salts are formed. Neutral salts are formed when strong acids react with strong bases.

The general form of such reaction is,

\({\bf{Acid}}{\rm{ }} + {\rm{ }}{\bf{Base}}\; \to {\bf{Salt}}{\rm{ }} + {\rm{ }}{\bf{water}}\)

Generally, heat is evolved in such reactions. Therefore, neutralisation reaction is exothermic in nature. This evolved heat increases the temperature, due to which the reaction mixture becomes hot.

The reaction between sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid is an example of neutralisation reaction. That is,

\({\rm{Sodium}}\,{\rm{Hydroxide}} + {\rm{Hydrochloric}}\,{\rm{Acid}} \to \;{\rm{Sodium}}\,{\rm{Chloride}} + {\rm{Water}}\)

As sodium hydroxide is a strong base and hydrochloric acid is a strong acid, the sodium chloride thus formed is a neutral salt.

Neutralisations in Everyday Life

Neutralisation reactions are quite common in everyday life. Let us discuss them in detail.

1. In the Treatment of indigestion

When we eat too spicy food, our stomach produces a large amount of hydrochloric acid. This can cause acidity and is generally called indigestion. Indigestion can be painful and can change the wall of the stomach. If it is not controlled, it can cause stomach ulcers. To cure this, we usually take bases called antacids.

An example is the milk of magnesia. It contains magnesium hydroxide (a weak base), which helps to neutralise the effect of excessive acid. As a result, it gives relief to a person suffering from indigestion.

2. In Soil Treatment

Plants generally grow well in neutral soil. Therefore, plants do not grow well when the soil is either too acidic or basic.

For instance, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers makes the soil acidic. Such acidic soil can be treated with bases such as quicklime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide). These bases neutralise the excess acids present in the soil, and as a result, the soil becomes neutral.

When the soil is too basic, the decaying organic matter (called manure or compost) is added to the soil. Manure is added because it can release acids which can neutralise the basic nature of the soil.

3. In the Treatment of Ant’s and Bee’s bite

When ants or bees bite a person using their sting, they inject an acid called formic acid into the skin. This can cause pain and swelling. This effect of the sting can be neutralised by rubbing that place using a mild base like baking soda (it contains sodium bicarbonate) or by rubbing with calamine (it contains zinc carbonate) solution on the stung area of the skin. As a result, the person gets relief from the pain caused by the sting.

4. In the Treatment of Wasp Stings

Wasp stings are basic in nature. When a wasp bites, this basic substance is injected into the skin. This can cause pain and swelling. This effect on the skin can be nullified or neutralised by rubbing using vinegar (which contains acetic acid) on the affected area.

5. In the Neutralisation of Factory Wastes

The waste substances discharged from many factories contain certain acids. If these untreated factory wastes are directly discharged into the water bodies (such as ponds, lakes, and rivers), then the acids present in the factory wastes will kill the fishes and other aquatic organisms that live in the water bodies. Therefore, the factory wastes should be treated with basic substances to neutralise the acids present in wastewater before discharging them into the water bodies.

6. In Tooth Decay

The microorganism-like bacteria present in our mouth produce acid in the mouth. This can cause tooth decay. This is generally prevented using toothpaste. The basic substance found in toothpaste neutralises the acid produced in the mouth. As a result, it helps in preventing tooth decay.

7. In Hair Conditioning

Shampoos which we use on our hair contain alkaline substances. This can cause scales on hairs which makes it unmanageable. In order to solve this, we use hair conditioners. Hair conditioners contain acidic substances which can neutralise the alkali, and as a result, it helps the scales to close up.

Summary

The reaction between an acid and a base is called a neutralisation reaction. We have now understood the importance of neutralisation reactions in our daily life. When we have pain caused due to acidity, we can neutralise it by taking antacid (it contains basic substances) tablets to it. The application of neutralisation reaction is extended in the field of agriculture, treatment of ant’s or bee’s sting bite, shampoo conditioning, tooth decay, etc., which are explained clearly in this article.

FAQs on Neutralisation in Everyday Life

Q.1. How can neutralisation be used in everyday life?
Ans: A neutralisation reaction is used in different aspects of life. For example, stomach acidity can be neutralised by taking antacid (it contains basic substance) tablets. Similarly, the neutralisation reaction helps in the prevention of tooth decay, neutralising soil, in the treatment of ant’s bite, etc.

Q.2. What is neutralisation? Give examples of it in everyday life?
Ans: The reaction between an acid and a base is called neutralisation. In everyday life, it is employed in different applications. For example, it is used in the neutralisation of stomach acidity, in the prevention of tooth decay, neutralising the soil, in the treatment of ant’s bites, etc.

Q.3. What is the definition of neutralisation?
Ans: Neutralisation is a chemical reaction in which an acid and a base react together to form salt and water as the products.

Q.4. Give an example of a neutralisation reaction.
Ans: The reaction between sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid is an example of a neutralisation reaction.

Q.5. What are the products of a Neutralisation reaction?
Ans: The products of a neutralisation reaction are salt and water.

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