The Reactions of Acids

Acids will react with metals and their oxides, hydroxides or carbonates to make a salt. Most metals react with acid to produce a salt and hydrogen bubbles. Metal oxides and hydroxides react with acids to produce a salt and water. Metal carbonates react with acids to produce a salt, water and carbon dioxide bubbles.

Magnesium chloride, aluminium sulfate, calcium nitrate and sodium chloride are all examples of salts. The first part of the salt name comes from the metal and the second part, sulfate, chloride or nitrate comes from the acid.