What makes sulfuric acid

As sulfuric acid is dibasic ionizes in two stages when it reacts with sodium hydroxide it can form two possible sodium salts. To see which one is favoured you need to consider the stoichiometry number of moles in the balanced equation for the following two reactions.

Dilute sulfuric acid neutralises basic carbonates to form sulfate salts, water and carbon dioxide, resulting in effervescence as shown in the photo, right. The rate of reaction not only depends on the surface area of the carbonate and the concentration and temperature of the acid, but also on the solubility of the sulfate. When marble CaCO 3 reacts with dilute H 2 SO 4 it initially effervesces but because calcium sulfate is only sparingly soluble in water, once it forms as a deposit on the marble surface, the reaction soon slows.

Dilute sulfuric acid reacts with metals higher than hydrogen in the reactivity series to form sulfate salts and hydrogen gas. Note the metal reactions are different with concentrated sulfuric acid. Iron is cleaned free from rust prior to coating with tin to form tinplate and with zinc to form galvanized iron. Gypsum is CaSO 4. The laxative ' epsom salt ' is MgSO 4. In , Glauber made sulfuric acid by distilling crystals of this salt.

Potassium sulfate is unusual in that it crystallizes without water of crystallization and has the formula K 2 SO 4. As sulfuric acid is dibasic, diprotic it is capable of forming two salts depending on the amount of alkali present in the reaction mixture;. In , solid frozen sulfuric acid was discovered on Jupiter's moon, Europa. Scientists have even identified solid sulfuric acid hydrates such as hemitriskaidecahydrate H 2 SO 4.

Aromatic sulfonation is when an H is replaced by SO 3 H a sulfonic acid group. In the case of benzene, it needs to be heated with conc. H 2 SO 4 for 8 h to produce benzenesulfonic acid. This reaction is too slow and not to be attempted as benzene is implicated in childhood leukemia.

Instead, it's better faster and safer to use toluene methylbenzene , as the methyl CH 3 group is electron releasing and speeds up the reaction. The procedure is: Add 30 drops of conc. H 2 SO 4 to 12 drops of toluene in a test-tube. Gases like sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen combine with water vapour in the air to form dilute acids. Even 'clean' rain is acidic, as it reacts with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to produce carbonic acid, but acid rain is significantly more corrosive, with a pH as low as 2.

It can seriously damage plant life and buildings, converting whole forests to stick-like remnants and dissolving away carbonate rocks like limestone and marble. But the rareness of sulfuric acid in nature isn't the case once we leave the Earth. Venus, the hottest planet in the solar system, has an atmosphere composed primarily of carbon dioxide, providing a runaway greenhouse effect. But it is also swathed in thick clouds of sulfuric acid that give the planet its reflective brightness.

Not only is this a world where lead would run liquid on the surface, it rains sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is not a pleasant substance.

It causes severe burns and intense damage to skin and eyes. Yet it's hard to be entirely vitriolic about a substance that keeps cars on the move and gives us essential fertilisers. At least we know one thing.

Sulfuric acid may sometimes be vile - but it will never be base. If you love listening to the chemistry in its element podcast, subscribe today and never miss an episode. Hmm, and right now I'm quite glad we live on Earth, rather than Venus, that's for sure.

That was Brian Clegg, with the vitriolic compound, sulfuric acid. Now, next week: inhale, and exhale - the compound that clears your airways. I remember our GP showing me the blue-grey puffer and explaining how I should exhale as far as I could, and then while inhaling slowly, squeeze the small canister to release a single puff of aerosol.

If the taste was faintly medicinal, the effect was astonishing: within seconds, the wheeze would be gone. My laughter would change from a shallow giggle to a hearty belly laugh. The drug proved an absolute blockbuster. Until then, I'm Meera Senthilingam, and thank you for listening. A DNA researcher tells the story of how humans have shaped the evolution of living things on Earth.

Site powered by Webvision Cloud. Strong inorganic acid mists containing sulfuric acid are carcinogenic. Sulfuric acid Group 1 - Carcinogenic to humans.

Sulfuric acid A2 - Suspected human carcinogen. Inhalation: Take precautions to ensure your own safety before attempting rescue e. Move victim to fresh air. Keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. If breathing is difficult, trained personnel should administer emergency oxygen.

DO NOT allow victim to move about unnecessarily. Symptoms of pulmonary edema may be delayed. Immediately call a Poison Centre or doctor. Treatment is urgently required. Transport to a hospital. Skin Contact: Avoid direct contact. Wear chemical protective clothing if necessary.

Quickly take off contaminated clothing, shoes and leather goods e. Quickly and gently blot or brush away excess chemical. Immediately flush with lukewarm, gently flowing water for at least 30 minutes. If it can be done safely, continue flushing during transport to hospital.

Double bag, seal, label and leave contaminated clothing, shoes and leather goods at the scene for safe disposal. Eye Contact: Avoid direct contact. Wear chemical protective gloves if necessary.

Quickly and gently blot or brush chemical off the face. Immediately flush the contaminated eye s with lukewarm, gently flowing water for at least 30 minutes, while holding the eyelid s open. Neutral saline solution may be used as soon as it is available. If necessary, continue flushing during transport to hospital. Take care not to rinse contaminated water into the unaffected eye or onto the face.

Ingestion: Have victim rinse mouth with water. If vomiting occurs naturally, have victim lean forward to reduce risk of aspiration. Have victim rinse mouth with water again. First Aid Comments: Some of the first aid procedures recommended here require advanced first aid training. All first aid procedures should be periodically reviewed by a doctor familiar with the chemical and its conditions of use in the workplace.

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Not combustible. Use extinguishing agent suitable for surrounding fire. ONLY Use water to keep non-leaking, fire-exposed containers cool.

Specific Hazards Arising from the Chemical: Contact with water causes violent frothing and spattering. Reacts with metals to produce highly flammable hydrogen gas.

Closed containers may rupture violently when heated releasing contents. In a fire, the following hazardous materials may be generated: corrosive sulfur oxides.

Personal Precautions: Evacuate the area immediately. Isolate the hazard area. Keep out unnecessary and unprotected personnel. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled product unless wearing appropriate protective equipment.