Which species is formed from the neutralization of an acid by a base?

The formation of salt and water from the neutralization of an acid by a base is a hallmark reaction in chemistry. In a neutralization reaction, acids react with bases to produce a salt and water.

During this process, the acid donates hydrogen ions (H⁺) and the base donates hydroxide ions (OH⁻). When these ions combine, they form water (H₂O). The remaining components of the acid and base combine to form a salt, which is the ionic compound resulting from the neutralization.

For example, if hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the reaction produces water and sodium chloride (NaCl), which is the salt. This concept forms the basis of various applications in chemistry, including titration and solution preparation.

In contrast, while the other answer choices mention various substances and compounds, they do not accurately represent the typical outcome of a neutralization reaction.