Acids react in four general ways to produce salts. The name of the salt comes from the metal and the acid: hydrochloric acid makes chlorides, sulfuric acid makes sulfates and nitric acid makes nitrates.
- Acid + metal gives salt + hydrogen. For example, magnesium + sulfuric acid gives magnesium sulfate + hydrogen. This works for metals that are reactive enough, such as magnesium, zinc and iron, but not copper.
- Acid + metal oxide gives salt + water. For example, zinc oxide + hydrochloric acid gives zinc chloride + water.
- Acid + metal hydroxide gives salt + water. For example, sodium hydroxide + hydrochloric acid gives sodium chloride + water.
- Acid + metal carbonate gives salt + water + carbon dioxide. For example, calcium carbonate + nitric acid gives calcium nitrate + water + carbon dioxide.
Carbonates fizz because carbon dioxide gas is given off, and metals fizz because hydrogen gas is given off. Oxides and hydroxides do not give off a gas.