Chem: Ammonia + HCl

Agree with you that you don't have to get water, but say you reacted HCl with NaOH in some kind of non-aqueous-but-polar solvent. Would water be produced when the H+ and OH- ions combine? I don't see how water being the solvent is relevant other than the acid/base won't ionise unless it's in water or a similar solvent........but then again i am rather crap at chemistry......so if you would explain it that would make me vrey happy

rosie

There are at least three different theories about acids and bases as far as I know. In Arrhenius Theory, an acid is defined to something that produces H3O+ ions in aq solutions while a base produces OH- ions. It is usually taught in early stages and I think it is what you mentioned. In Lewis Theory, an acid accepts electrons while a base donates electrons. In Bronsted-Lowry Theory, an acid donates protons and a base accepts protons. At upper levels, Lewis Theory and Bronsted-Lowry Theory will be introduced. However, it seems to me that the latter is more widely used than the former.

According to the different theories, the definition of neutralisation varies.

How dare you! You used that word!!! That word has become the hell of my life since I started doing some degree level Chemistry! Everywhere you look it stares you in the face!

Really? I've just done a first year of a chem degree and have come across it a few times but not enough to make everything hell...

How dare you! You used that word!!! That word has become the hell of my life since I started doing some degree level Chemistry! Everywhere you look it stares you in the face!

NatSci getting to you, is it?

ahh the joys of doing a single subject :relax: