What does a neutralisation reaction between nitric acid and potassium hydroxide produce?
A neutralisation reaction between nitric acid and potassium hydroxide produces water and potassium nitrate.
According to the provided information, when an acid is added to a base, a chemical reaction called neutralization occurs. This type of reaction is a fundamental concept in chemistry, specifically within the study of acids, bases, and salts.
The reaction between nitric acid (HNO3) and the base potassium hydroxide (KOH) is given as an example of this neutralization process. In this specific reaction, the nitric acid reacts with the potassium hydroxide.
The chemical equation for this reaction is provided as:
HNO3 + KOH → H2O + KNO3
This equation clearly shows the substances present before (reactants) and after (products) the reaction takes place.
Based on the reference, neutralization reactions like this one consistently produce a salt and water. In the case of nitric acid and potassium hydroxide reacting, the products identified by the equation and the reference are water and a specific salt.
The products are:
- Water (H2O)
- Potassium nitrate (KNO3)
The reference explicitly states that KNO3 is the salt formed in this particular reaction. Therefore, the neutralization reaction between nitric acid and potassium hydroxide yields water and potassium nitrate, which is a salt.
Here's a simple breakdown of the reaction:
| Reactants | Products |
|---|---|
| Nitric Acid (HNO3) | Water (H2O) |
| Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) | Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) |
In summary, the interaction between nitric acid and potassium hydroxide leads to their neutralization, resulting in the formation of water and the salt potassium nitrate.
