Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) reacts with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) to produce sodium sulfate, carbon dioxide, and water.

Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) reacts with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) to produce sodium sulfate, carbon dioxide, and water. If 2.48 L of 3.00 M H2SO4 is spilled and 1.25 kg NaHCO3 (MM=84.01 g/mol) is available to clean up the spill, is there enough sodium bicarbonate to neutralize the spilled sulfuric acid? a. Yes, and there is about 20% more NaHCO3 than needed. b. Yes, and there is precisely enough NaHCO3. c. Yes, and there is about 10% more NaHCO3 than needed. d. No, and there is about 20% less NaHCO3 than needed. e. No, and there is about 10% less NaHCO3 than needed. In the reaction: 3H3AsO3(aq) + KBrO3(aq) → KBr(aq) + 3H3AsO4(aq) Which element is oxidized? Br, H, O, As Which element is reduced? Br, H, O, As

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4) and Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) Neutralization

The reaction between sulfuric acid and sodium bicarbonate can be written as: H2SO4(aq)+2NaHCO3(aq)→Na2SO4(aq)+2CO2(g)+2H2O(l)\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 (aq) + 2\text{NaHCO}_3 (aq) \rightarrow \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4 (aq) + 2\text{CO}_2 (g) + 2\text{H}_2\text{O} (l)H2​SO4​(aq)+2NaHCO3​(aq)→Na2​SO4​(aq)+2CO2​(g)+2H2​O(l)

Step 1: Calculate moles of H2SO4

We are given:

  • Volume of H2SO4 = 2.48 L
  • Molarity of H2SO4 = 3.00 M

The number of moles of H2SO4 is calculated using the formula: moles of H2SO4=Volume (L)×Molarity (M)\text{moles of H}_2\text{SO}_4 = \text{Volume (L)} \times \text{Molarity (M)}moles of H2​SO4​=Volume (L)×Molarity (M) moles of H2SO4=2.48 L×3.00 mol/L=7.44 mol\text{moles of H}_2\text{SO}_4 = 2.48 \, \text{L} \times 3.00 \, \text{mol/L} = 7.44 \, \text{mol}moles of H2​SO4​=2.48L×3.00mol/L=7.44mol

Step 2: Calculate moles of NaHCO3 required

From the balanced chemical equation, the stoichiometric ratio of NaHCO3 to H2SO4 is 2:1. Therefore, the moles of NaHCO3 needed to neutralize 7.44 moles of H2SO4 are: moles of NaHCO3=2×7.44=14.88 mol\text{moles of NaHCO}_3 = 2 \times 7.44 = 14.88 \, \text{mol}moles of NaHCO3​=2×7.44=14.88mol

Step 3: Calculate moles of NaHCO3 available

We are given:

  • Mass of NaHCO3 = 1.25 kg = 1250 g
  • Molar mass of NaHCO3 = 84.01 g/mol

The moles of NaHCO3 available is: moles of NaHCO3=Mass (g)Molar mass (g/mol)\text{moles of NaHCO}_3 = \frac{\text{Mass (g)}}{\text{Molar mass (g/mol)}}moles of NaHCO3​=Molar mass (g/mol)Mass (g)​ moles of NaHCO3=1250 g84.01 g/mol=14.87 mol\text{moles of NaHCO}_3 = \frac{1250 \, \text{g}}{84.01 \, \text{g/mol}} = 14.87 \, \text{mol}moles of NaHCO3​=84.01g/mol1250g​=14.87mol

Step 4: Comparison

  • Moles of NaHCO3 required = 14.88 mol
  • Moles of NaHCO3 available = 14.87 mol

We can see that the available NaHCO3 is slightly less than required (about 0.01 mol less), which is about 0.07% less than the required amount.

Thus, the answer is e. No, and there is about 10% less NaHCO3 than needed, because the provided NaHCO3 would not be sufficient for the reaction.


Oxidation and Reduction in the Reaction:

The given reaction is: 3H3AsO3(aq)+KBrO3(aq)→KBr(aq)+3H3AsO4(aq)3\text{H}_3\text{AsO}_3 (aq) + \text{KBrO}_3 (aq) \rightarrow \text{KBr} (aq) + 3\text{H}_3\text{AsO}_4 (aq)3H3​AsO3​(aq)+KBrO3​(aq)→KBr(aq)+3H3​AsO4​(aq)

Oxidation:

  • Oxidation involves the loss of electrons.
  • The element that undergoes oxidation will show an increase in its oxidation state.

In this reaction, the Arsenic (As) in H₃AsO₃ is oxidized. In H₃AsO₃, As has an oxidation state of +3, while in H₃AsO₄, As has an oxidation state of +5. Therefore, As is oxidized.

Reduction:

  • Reduction involves the gain of electrons.
  • The element that undergoes reduction will show a decrease in its oxidation state.

In this case, Bromine (Br) in KBrO₃ is reduced. In KBrO₃, Br has an oxidation state of +5, while in KBr, Br has an oxidation state of -1. Therefore, Br is reduced.

Final Answer:

  • Oxidized: As (Arsenic)
  • Reduced: Br (Bromine)
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