How is salt formed?

Salt, such as sodium chloride, is formed when an acid and a base are neutralized in a chemical reaction. In nature, sodium chloride, commonly known as table salt, is found when sea water evaporates. Additionally, this salt can be mined from the Earth.

In addition to salt, neutralization yields water. The opposite of this reaction is called hydrolysis. In hydrolysis, salt reacts with water to form an acid and a base. Different acids and bases react to form salts. These acids and bases are classified as strong or weak. A strong acid and a strong base produce salt and water. A reaction of a strong acid and a weak base produces salt but does not normally produce water.