An acid-base reaction is a chemical process where an acid and a base interact to form water and a salt. Acids are substances that donate protons (H⁺ ions), while bases accept them. For example, when hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), they produce water and sodium chloride (NaCl), which is table salt. This type of reaction is essential in many biological and industrial processes. These reactions are important in everyday life, such as in our stomachs, where gastric acid helps digest food. Understanding acid-base reactions is crucial in fields like chemistry, biology, and environmental science, as they play a key role in maintaining pH balance in various systems.