What type of compound is H2SO4?
Olonic salt
acid
organic compound
covalent molecule
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is acid.
Explanation:
H₂SO₄, known as sulfuric acid, is a strong acid. It is a chemical compound that consists of two hydrogen atoms (H₂), one sulfur atom (S), and four oxygen atoms (O₄). It is one of the most widely used industrial chemicals and has a wide range of applications, from fertilizer production to petroleum refining.
Sulfuric acid is classified as an inorganic acid, meaning it does not contain carbon atoms, which distinguishes it from organic acids like acetic acid (CH₃COOH), which contain carbon. Sulfuric acid is a strong acid, meaning it dissociates completely in water, releasing hydrogen ions (H⁺). The dissociation reaction of sulfuric acid in water is as follows:
[
H_2SO_4 \rightarrow H^+ + HSO_4^-
]
The hydrogen ions (H⁺) are responsible for the acidic properties of H₂SO₄, such as its ability to lower the pH of solutions and react with metals to release hydrogen gas.
Sulfuric acid can also act as a dehydrating agent because it has a strong tendency to remove water from substances. This makes it highly corrosive and capable of causing burns to skin or other organic materials. Additionally, sulfuric acid is a strong oxidizing agent under certain conditions, meaning it can accept electrons and oxidize other compounds.
In terms of structure, sulfuric acid is considered a covalent molecule because it is formed by the sharing of electrons between sulfur and oxygen atoms in a covalent bond. However, its acidic nature comes from the ionization in water, where it behaves as an acid, not as a purely covalent molecule.
In summary, H₂SO₄ is primarily an acid, specifically a strong inorganic acid, and it plays an essential role in many chemical processes.