What type of reaction is characterized by an acid reacting with a base?

A neutralization reaction is characterized by an acid reacting with a base to produce water and a salt. In this process, the hydrogen ions (H⁺) from the acid combine with the hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from the base to form water (H₂O). The remaining ions from the acid and base typically form a salt. This type of reaction is fundamental in chemistry and plays a significant role in various applications, including titrations and everyday products like antacids, which neutralize stomach acid.

In contrast, decomposition reactions involve the breakdown of a compound into simpler substances, redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons between species affecting their oxidation states, and synthesis reactions involve the combination of two or more substances to form a new compound. These alternative types of reactions do not encompass the specific interaction between an acid and a base that characterizes a neutralization reaction.