The reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a classic example of an acid-base neutralization reaction. When these two compounds are mixed, the hydrochloric acid donates a proton (H+) to the sodium hydroxide, forming water (H2O) and sodium chloride (NaCl). The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:

HCl + NaOH → H2O + NaCl