What are the products of the reaction between an acid and a base?

The reaction between an acid and a base is known as neutralization. During this process, the acid donates protons (H⁺ ions), while the base provides hydroxide ions (OH⁻). When these two components react, they typically form water (H₂O) and a salt. The salt is the ionic compound that results from the combination of the cation from the base and the anion from the acid.

This is a fundamental concept in acid-base chemistry. For instance, when hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the products are water and sodium chloride (NaCl), which is the salt. This general reaction can be applied to many other combinations of acids and bases.

The other answers presented do not represent typical acid-base reactions. Carbon dioxide and water are produced in some reactions involving carbonates and acids but are not the major products of a classic acid-base neutralization. Hydrogen gas can occur in certain reactions, such as those involving strong acids and active metals but is not the general product of an acid-base reaction. Amino acids and water may involve biological processes that feature acid-base chemistry, but the products of an acid-base reaction specifically focus on the formation of salt and water.