* Weak acid: Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid, but its conjugate base, the chloride ion (Cl-), is very weak.

* Strong base: Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong base.

When hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), they neutralize each other, forming sodium chloride (NaCl) and water (H2O):

HCl (aq) + NaOH (aq) → NaCl (aq) + H2O (l)

Since the chloride ion (Cl-) is a weak base, the resulting salt (NaCl) is considered to be neutral.