(a) List in tabular form two differences between an acid and a base based on their chemical properties.
(b) What do you understand by neutralization reaction ? Give two examples to illustrate your answer with equations.

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution

#### (a) Differences between an Acid and a Base

| Property | Acid | Base |
|------------------------|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| Definition | An acid is a chemical compound that, when dissolved in water, produces a solution with a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) than pure water. | A base is a substance that can accept hydrogen ions (H⁺) when dissolved in water, resulting in a solution with a higher concentration of hydroxide ions (OH⁻). |
| Taste | Acids typically have a sour taste. | Bases generally have a bitter taste. |
| Litmus Test | Acids turn blue litmus paper red. | Bases turn red litmus paper blue. |

#### (b) Neutralization Reaction

A neutralization reaction is a chemical reaction in which an acid and a base react with each other to form salt and water. This process effectively neutralizes the acidic and basic properties of the reactants.

**Examples:**

1. **Example 1: Hydrochloric Acid and Sodium Hydroxide**
- Reaction:
\[ \text{HCl (aq)} + \text{NaOH (aq)} \rightarrow \text{NaCl (aq)} + \text{H}_2\text{O (l)} \]
- Here, hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to produce sodium chloride (NaCl), which is salt, and water (H₂O).

2. **Example 2: Sulfuric Acid and Sodium Hydroxide**
- Reaction:
\[ \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 (aq) + 2 \text{NaOH (aq)} \rightarrow \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4 (aq) + 2 \text{H}_2\text{O (l)} \]
- In this case, sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to produce sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) and water (H₂O).