Sulphuric Acid Formula

Sulphuric acid is the most common acid that is used in various chemical experiments. It is a strong inorganic acid. The chemical formula of sulphuric acid is \[H_{2}SO_{4}\]. The molecular formula of sulphuric acid has 2 hydrogen atoms, 1 sulfur atom, and 4 oxygen atoms. The basic concepts related to sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid formula, sulphuric acid molecular formula, the formula of dilute sulphuric acid, structure, chemical properties, and uses of acid, are discussed here, for your reference. 

Sulphuric acid is an oily, odorless liquid, often known as sulfuric acid or \[H_{2}SO_{4}\]. It's also highly corrosive. It has been dubbed the 'King of Chemicals' due to its extensive range of applications. We can also find it in both a combined and a free state.

The acid's boiling point is 611 K. Because of hydrogen bonding; this molecule has a more unique boiling point and thickness.

Molecular Formula of Sulfuric Acid

As we discussed above, the sulphuric acid molecular formula is \[H_{2}SO_{4}\]. It has one Hydrogen atom, one sulphur, and four oxygen atoms attached to the sulphur atom. Its molecular weight is 98.079 g/mol. According to the VSEPR Theory, They are arranged in such a way that there is minimum repulsion between lone pairs and bond pairs. It is an oxoacid of sulfur. Two oxygen atoms are attached to the sulphur through the double bonds. Two hydroxyl groups are attached via single bonds. The structure of Sulphuric acid is shown below:

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As we can see in the structure, There are two hydrogen atoms attached to the Oxygen atoms. These two hydrogen atoms are mobilizable. Which means they can be removed easily. So, It is a diprotic acid. This is the reason for sulphuric acid being the strongest inorganic acid.

Concentrated Sulphuric acid is corrosive and extremely harmful. So, water is mixed to it to lower the concentration. This is known as dilute sulphuric acid. Dilute sulfuric acid formula has the same formula as Concentrated acid. It only differs in concentration. This powerful chemical combines violently with water, creating a lot of heat. As a result, you should never mix \[H_{2}SO_{4}\] with water. Instead, slowly add the acid to the water while stirring constantly.

Chemical Properties

• Sulfuric acid is a dibasic acid with a high molecular weight. It's also diprotic, ionising in two steps in an aqueous solution.

• This substance is very corrosive, reactive, and water-soluble. It has high oxidizing power, making it a powerful oxidising agent.

• It has a low level of volatility. As a result, it aids in the synthesis of more volatile acids from their contrasting salts.

• As a result, this chemical is utilized to dry a variety of wet gases that do not react with acid.

• It also removes water from natural mixtures such as starches.

• It can oxidize both nonmetals and metals because it is a good oxidising agent. Furthermore, it decomposes into sulphur dioxide.

Preparation of Sulphuric Acid:

• Contact Process

When one mole of Sulphur trioxide is made to react with water, One mole of sulphuric acid is formed. This is the commercial method known as the Contact process. Vanadium Oxide is used as a catalyst in this reaction.

\[SO_{3} + H_{2}O \rightarrow H_{2}SO_{4}\]

• Lead Chamber Process

One of the most prevalent manufacturing procedures is the lead Chamber process. It yields between 50 and 60 B-grade acids. We employ moist SO2 in the presence of nitrogenous oxides in this process (dynamic impetus). As a result, it reacts with oxygen in the air, forming sulphur trioxide. This reaction is denoted by

\[2SO_{2} + O_{2} \rightarrow 2SO_{3}\].

Sulphur trioxide is then allowed to react with water to produce \[H_{2}SO_{4}\]. This reaction is denoted by

\[SO_{3}  +   H_{2}O   \rightarrow    H_{2}SO_{4}\]

Uses of Sulphuric Acid

• It is extensively used in laboratories, petroleum refineries, and wastewater processing. 

• It is used in the formation of numerous compounds that are industrially beneficial. It is used in dyes, paints, explosives, and detergents. It is also used as an electrolyte in electrochemical cells and batteries.

• It's a common chemical used in explosives production. TNT, for example. Sulfuric acid is required for the presence of other critical compounds. We can't get these chemicals without sulfuric acid,  hydrochloric, phosphoric, and nitric acids, for example. It is also required for the production of sodium carbonate.

• We use it as part of the petroleum refining process.

• It has a pickling effect.

• Sulphuric acid is used in agriculture, notably in the fertiliser sector, for around half of the world's supply. Sulphuric acid is used in the production of phosphate fertilisers

Conclusion

So, here we learned the formula of Sulphuric Acid, its structure, preparation, and common uses. The contact process is used to prepare this acid in the laboratories. Sulphuric acid is a strong acid, and it is widely used in laboratories for the syntheses of various compounds. Hence, it is one of the most fundamental topics to learn, in Chemistry.