The Proton Game

At its core, acid-base chemistry is about proton transfer. An acid is any substance that donates a hydrogen ion (H+, which is just a proton). A base is any substance that accepts one.

When an acid meets a base, they neutralize each other. The H+ from the acid combines with the OH- from the base to form water. The leftover ions form a salt. Hydrochloric acid + sodium hydroxide gives you sodium chloride — table salt — plus water.