* Calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂): This is a soluble salt.
* Water (H₂O): This is produced as a byproduct of the neutralization.
The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
Ca(OH)₂ (aq) + 2 HNO₃ (aq) → Ca(NO₃)₂ (aq) + 2 H₂O (l)
Here's a breakdown of what happens:
* Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) is a base: It contains hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
* Nitric acid (HNO₃) is an acid: It contains hydrogen ions (H⁺).
* Neutralization: The hydrogen ions from the acid react with the hydroxide ions from the base to form water (H₂O). This process releases heat, making the reaction exothermic.
* Salt formation: The remaining ions, calcium (Ca²⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻), combine to form calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂), which is a soluble salt.
The solution will be clear and colorless after the reaction is complete.
