What is the term for the reaction between an acid and a base?

The term for the reaction between an acid and a base is a neutralization reaction. In this type of reaction, an acid donates a proton (H⁺ ion) and a base donates a hydroxide ion (OH⁻), resulting in the formation of water and a salt. The essential characteristic of a neutralization reaction is that it involves the transfer of protons, leading to the neutralization of the acid's acidity and the base's basicity.

This process is fundamental in chemistry and is often represented by a general equation such as:

[ \text{Acid} + \text{Base} \rightarrow \text{Salt} + \text{Water} ]

Neutralization is crucial in various applications, including titration experiments, the formulation of antacids, and the treatment of acid spills. It is distinct from other types of reactions like decomposition, where a compound breaks down into simpler substances, synthesis, where two or more substances combine to form a more complex substance, and redox, which involves the transfer of electrons between species.