Write the chemical formula for sulfuric acid.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The chemical formula for sulfuric acid is H₂SO₄.
Explanation:
Sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive and strong mineral acid composed of three elements: hydrogen (H), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O). It is one of the most important industrial chemicals and has a wide range of uses, including in manufacturing fertilizers, petroleum refining, and chemical synthesis.
- Hydrogen (H): The presence of hydrogen atoms in the formula indicates the acidic nature of sulfuric acid. In H₂SO₄, two hydrogen atoms are bonded to the oxygen atoms.
- Sulfur (S): Sulfur is the central element in the sulfuric acid molecule. It is bonded to four oxygen atoms, forming a tetrahedral structure. This sulfur-oxygen bond is crucial for the acid’s properties.
- Oxygen (O): Sulfuric acid contains four oxygen atoms. Three of these are double-bonded to sulfur (forming sulfonic groups), while one oxygen atom is part of a hydroxyl group (-OH), contributing to the acidic behavior of the compound.
The structure of H₂SO₄ can be visualized as a central sulfur atom bonded to four oxygen atoms, with two of the oxygen atoms each bonded to one hydrogen atom. This forms the sulfate ion (SO₄²⁻) when dissociated in water. The dissociation of sulfuric acid in water proceeds as follows:
H₂SO₄ → H⁺ + HSO₄⁻ (first dissociation) HSO₄⁻ → H⁺ + SO₄²⁻ (second dissociation)
This explains its strong acidic nature, as it dissociates in two steps to release protons (H⁺), which are responsible for the acidity of the solution.
Sulfuric acid is typically produced by the contact process, where sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is oxidized to sulfur trioxide (SO₃) and then reacted with water to form H₂SO₄.