To determine the type of reaction for the chemical equation:
[tex]\[ \text{HCl (aq) + NaOH (aq) → H_2O (l) + NaCl (aq)} \][/tex]
we need to analyze the reactants and the products. Let's break it down step by step:
1. Identify the Reactants and Products:
- The reactants are Hydrochloric acid (HCl) and Sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
- The products are Water (H₂O) and Sodium chloride (NaCl).
2. Type of Reaction:
- Decomposition: This typically involves a single compound breaking down into two or more simpler compounds or elements. Since we are starting with two reactants and ending with two products, this is not a decomposition reaction.
- Oxidation-Reduction: These reactions involve the transfer of electrons between substances. There is no evidence of electron transfer in this reaction, so it is unlikely to be an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction.
- Acid-Base Neutralization: This type of reaction occurs when an acid reacts with a base to produce a salt and water. Given that HCl is an acid and NaOH is a base, the formation of NaCl (salt) and H₂O (water) suggests that this is an acid-base neutralization reaction.
- Precipitation: This type of reaction typically occurs when two aqueous solutions combine to form an insoluble solid (precipitate). Since both products, H₂O and NaCl, remain soluble in water, precipitation does not occur here.
Given the chemical equation and the analysis above, the type of reaction shown here is an Acid-Base Neutralization.
So, the correct answer is:
- Acid Base Neutralization
