What is Salt? A Chemical Definition
In chemistry, a salt is an ionic compound formed from the neutralization reaction between an acid and a base. It consists of positively charged cations (from the base) and negatively charged anions (from the acid), held together by electrostatic forces in a crystalline lattice.
The most common example is table salt, but salts can vary widely, such as calcium carbonate ($CaCO_3$) in limestone or potassium chloride ($KCl$) used in fertilizers.
Salts are essential in daily life and industry because they conduct electricity when dissolved in water (electrolytes) and are key in food preservation, medicine, and manufacturing.
Key properties include:
- High melting and boiling points due to strong ionic bonds.
- Solubility in water, forming ions that enable reactions.
- Neutral pH when pure, though impurities can alter this.