Which salt is formed when potassium hydroxide reacts with hydrochloric acid?

Which salt is formed when potassium hydroxide reacts with hydrochloric acid?

• A. Potassium Chloride
• B. Potassium Sulfate
• C. Potassium Carbonate
• D. Potassium Nitrate

Answer: (A)

Neutralization of a strong base with a strong acid forms a salt plus water. Here, potassium hydroxide provides K+ and OH−, while hydrochloric acid provides H+ and Cl−. The H+ reacts with OH− to make water, and the remaining ions pair up as the salt KCl. So the salt formed is potassium chloride. If a different acid were used, a different chloride-free salt would not form; for example, using sulfuric acid would give potassium sulfate, and using nitric acid would give potassium nitrate.

Neutralization of a strong base with a strong acid forms a salt plus water. Here, potassium hydroxide provides K+ and OH−, while hydrochloric acid provides H+ and Cl−. The H+ reacts with OH− to make water, and the remaining ions pair up as the salt KCl. So the salt formed is potassium chloride. If a different acid were used, a different chloride-free salt would not form; for example, using sulfuric acid would give potassium sulfate, and using nitric acid would give potassium nitrate.