Barber Practice State Board Practice Exam

What happens when acids and alkalis are mixed together in equal proportions?

1. They become more acidic

2. They produce a gas

3. They neutralize each other

4. They create heat

The correct answer is: They neutralize each other

When acids and alkalis are mixed together in equal proportions, they undergo a chemical reaction known as neutralization. In this process, the acidic properties of the acid and the basic properties of the alkali interact to form water and a salt. This reaction results in a solution that typically has a neutral pH around 7, which is neither acidic nor basic. Neutralization is a fundamental concept in chemistry and is crucial in various applications, such as titration in laboratories, soil treatment in agriculture, and balancing pH in skin care in the field of cosmetology and barbering. Understanding this reaction helps barbers and cosmetologists recognize how different products can interact when used together on a client, ensuring safe and effective results. While there may also be heat produced during exothermic neutralization reactions, the most definitive outcome of mixing equal parts of an acid and an alkali is their neutralization, leading to the formation of water and salt.