Answer
A salt is a compound formed when an acid reacts with a base, metal, or metal carbonate. In this reaction, the hydrogen in the acid is replaced by a metal or a positive ion like ammonium.
How salts are formed:
- Acid + Base → Salt + Water
Example: HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H₂O - Acid + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen gas
Example: HCl + Mg → MgCl₂ + H₂ - Acid + Metal Carbonate → Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide
Example: HCl + CaCO₃ → CaCl₂ + H₂O + CO₂
Examples:
- Table salt (NaCl)
- Copper sulfate (CuSO₄)
- Potassium nitrate (KNO₃)
Salts are important in food, farming, and medicine.