Uses of Sulphuric Acid: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Sulfuric acid is an essential chemical and has the following properties:

Physical properties

• Different concentrations: There are different concentrations of sulfuric acid, which are used for various purposes. The common names of different concentrations are- Diluted sulfuric acid, Battery acid, Chamber acid, Tower acid, Be/Baume acid, and concentrated sulfuric acid.
• Conductivity and Polarity: The conductivity and polarity of sulfuric acid are high due to the intramolecular proton switch mechanism and have a dielectric constant of 100.

Chemical Properties

• Dehydration property: Sulfuric acid is a strong dehydration agent due to its solubility in water thermodynamic nature. E.g., Dehydration of sucrose using sulfuric acid
• Acid-base properties: Sulfuric acid can react with various bases and results in the formation of sulfates
• Reaction with metals- Different levels of concentration of sulfuric acid act as oxidising agent and release sulfur dioxide
• Boiling point and melting point- The boiling point of sulfuric acid is 639 F, and the melting point is 50.56 F
• Density- The density of sulfuric acid is 1.8302 g/cm3

Sulfuric acid is a commodity chemical and is used across various industries for the following purposes:

• It is used to manufacture various other chemicals such as nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfate salts, etc
• It is used extensively in manufacturing fertilisers like ammonium sulfate
• It is used for refining gasoline and other byproducts of gasoline
• It is used for cleaning metals before processes like plating
• It is an essential component used in the manufacturing of storage batteries

Uses of sulfuric acid in class 10

The concept of acids is part of the chemistry curriculum of class 10. The course emphasises the molecular structure and various uses of acids across various industries.

Uses of sulfuric acid in class 11

The concept is taught in detail in the chemistry curriculum and is a part of inorganic chemistry in class 11. The course emphasises various properties and reactions with other materials through experiments.

Uses of sulfuric acid in class 12

The uses of sulfuric acid are there in the chapter p-block elements. The reactions of sulfuric acid are studied in detail, and lab experiments are essential in the curriculum.

Conclusion

Due to its highly thermodynamic nature and reactive properties, sulfuric acid has potential hazards. 

The concept of sulfuric acid is an essential topic in the inorganic chemistry curriculum and, along with three other chapters, has a total weightage of 19 marks in the theoretical exam.

Examples

• What is used for manufacturing sulfuric acid?

Ans- The contact process is used for manufacturing sulfuric acid.

• What is a reversible reaction?

Ans- The conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide is a reversible reaction.

• What precautions should be taken while dealing with sulfuric acid?

Ans- Always store sulfuric acid in a dry and cool area. Prevent accidental contact with other materials. Eg-  Obtaining sulfur trioxide from sulfur dioxide-2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g)

Q. Define sulfuric acid dilution and blending system.

Q. What difficulties are faced during the dilution of sulfuric acid?

Q. Why is sulfuric acid added to water?

Q. Mention the materials that do not react to sulfuric acid?

Q. What is produced by Frasch Process?