What base neutralizes sulfuric acid?

Answer:
In general, any base will neutralize sulfuric acid (or any acid). Sulfuric acid, H2SO4, can be neutralized with, say, sodium hydroxide, NaOH, to form sodium sulfate, Na2SO4, and water, H2O, as end products of the exothermic reaction. The equation follows:

2NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + 2H2O

Recall that, in general, acids are H+ (a hydrogen or hydronium ion) and a negative ion combination, and bases are a positive ion and OH- (hydroxide ion) combination. And the general reaction between acids and bases yields a salt and water. It could be written like this:

acid+ + base- → salt + water

This is the Arrhenius definition of an acid-base reaction, and it is a Nobel Prize winner (1903) which has needed little modification to carry it into the modern chemistry laboratory. A link is provided to the Wikipedia post on this particular definition, and it's short and easy to read. Why not surf on over and check it out? It's a key element in unlocking the big, big world of chemistry (much of which, sadly, remains hidden from a large portion of the population - who benefit directly from it every single day of their lives). Oh, and wouldn't a link be nice? Hey, this is WikiAnswers. We got yer back. The link is provided. And we promise not to Rickroll you.

First answer by Quirkyquantummechanic. Last edit by Quirkyquantummechanic. Contributor trust: 3698 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 4 [recommend question].