What is produced when an acid reacts with a base?

When an acid reacts with a base, the primary products of this neutralization reaction are a salt and water. In this process, the acid donates protons (H⁺ ions), while the base donates hydroxide ions (OH⁻). The combination of these two ions forms water (H₂O). The remaining ions from the acid and base then combine to form a salt, which is an ionic compound.

This reaction illustrates the fundamental principles of acid-base chemistry, where the interaction between H⁺ and OH⁻ leads to a reduction in the acidity and basicity of the involved substances. The generation of a salt provides the characteristic of the neutralization process and is key in various applications, from industrial manufacturing to everyday chemical reactions.

In contrast, the other options are not comprehensive. Water alone is not the only product of the reaction; hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions are not formed in the context of a typical acid-base reaction where a neutralization occurs. Thus, the formation of both a salt and water appropriately encapsulates the result of this fundamental chemical interaction.