Here's a breakdown:

* Acids have a pH less than 7, meaning they release hydrogen ions (H+) into solution.

* Bases have a pH greater than 7, meaning they release hydroxide ions (OH-) into solution.

When an acid and a base react, they neutralize each other, forming salt and water. This is a classic example of an acid-base reaction:

Acid + Base → Salt + Water

For example:

* Hydrochloric acid (HCl) + Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) → Sodium chloride (NaCl) + Water (H2O)

This reaction results in a solution with a pH closer to 7, which is neutral.