What is the general equation for a neutralization reaction?

The general equation for a neutralization reaction is represented as acid + base → salt + water. This process occurs when an acid reacts with a base to produce a salt and water, effectively neutralizing the acidic and basic properties of the reactants.

In this reaction, the acid donates protons (H⁺ ions) while the base provides hydroxide ions (OH⁻ ions). When these ions combine, they form water (H₂O). The remaining components of the reactants combine to form a salt, which is an ionic compound typically composed of the cation from the base and the anion from the acid.

This fundamental understanding of neutralization reactions is central to many applications in chemistry, including titrations and reactions in everyday life, such as the use of antacids to neutralize stomach acid. The other options presented do not correctly define the neutralization process; they involve different reactants and products unrelated to the standard neutralization definition.