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ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Revision Notes Chapter 11 - Sulphuric Acid

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Free PDF download of Class 10 Chemistry Chapter 11 - Sulphuric Acid Revision Notes & Short Key-notes prepared by our expert Chemistry teachers as per CISCE guidelines. To register Chemistry Tuitions on Vedantu to clear your doubts.

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ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Revision Notes Chapter 11

Properties of Sulphuric Acid

Sulphuric acid has a molecular formula of H2SO4 and the molecular mass of sulphuric acid is 98. Sulphuric acid is usually known as the ‘King of Chemicals’ and the reason behind is its extensive use in several industries. Apart from this sulphuric acid is a strong protonating agent and oxidising agent. Sulphuric acid is also used as a dehydrating agent and it is used to remove the molecule of water from many organic compounds. It is a dibasic acid because of the presence of two hydrogen atoms which ionise in an aqueous solution to become Hydrogen Ions, H(+).

H2SO4 2H++SO4(2-)


Preparation of Sulphuric Acid

In the process of manufacturing the sulphuric acid the process which is applied is known as the Contact Process and it fumes sulphuric acid from sulphur dioxide which is formed by burning sulphur or by roasting sulphide ores and oxygen in the form of air which forms sulphur trioxide in the presence of a catalyst. 


Manufacture of Sulphuric Acid by Contact Process

The conventional contact process or the wet sulphuric acid process (WSA) is applied to form sulphuric acid. There are five stages of this contact process and they are as follows:

a. In the first stage they combine sulphur and oxygen together to form sulphur dioxide.

b. In the second stage what happens is they purify the sulphur dioxide in a purification unit.

c. In the third stage, an excessive amount of sulphur dioxide is added in the presence of the catalyst vanadium pentoxide with the application of temperature of 450 °C and pressure of 1-2 atm.

d. In the fourth stage, there is a formation of sulphur trioxide which gets added to sulphuric acid in order to form oleum (disulphuric acid).

e. The oleum (disulphuric acid) which is formed in the fourth stage gets added to the water to form concentrated sulphuric acid which is very concentrated.


Uses of Sulphuric Acid

a. It is known as the king of chemicals because it has an extensive application.

b. It helps in the manufacturing of fertilisers ( ammonium sulphate and superphosphate), dyes, paints, pigments, explosives like TNT, in making of chemicals like hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and sodium carbonate and in the refining of petroleum.

c. It plays an important role as a pickling agent and in labs as a dehydrating and oxidising agent.

FAQs on ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Revision Notes Chapter 11 - Sulphuric Acid

1. Why does sulphur dioxide need to get purified before entering the contact tower?

Sulphur dioxide produces certain impurities like vapours, arsenous oxide, dust, particles or pyrite dust, and arsenious oxide and these would lead to deactivation of the catalyst and therefore reduce its efficiency and therefore it is indispensable to purify it to avoid the poisoning of the catalyst which leads to the destruction of the activity of the catalyst and reduces its efficiency. In this whole process, the presence of gas is washed away with the help of water and then gets dried with sulphuric acid.

2. What are the properties of Sulphuric acid?

Sulphuric acid has many properties and they are as follows:

a. It is known as the king of chemicals because of its application in large no. of purposes.

b. It has a molecular formula of H2SO4.

c. Act as a strong protonating agent and oxidising agent.

d. It is also applied as a  dehydrating agent and it is used to remove the molecule of water from many organic compounds.

e. It is a dibasic acid because of the presence of two hydrogen atoms.

3. What are its uses?

The uses of sulphuric acid are many which have been mentioned below:

  • It is popular as the king of chemicals.

  • It helps in the manufacturing of fertilisers like ammonium sulphate and superphosphate.

  • It is applied in the making of paint, dyes, and explosives like TNT.

  • It acts as a pickling agent and in labs as a dehydrating and oxidising agent.

  • It helps in the refining of petroleum.

  • It helps in the removal of impurities.

  • It helps in the cleaning of metals.

4. Describe the following terms:

a. Oleum

b. Dehydrating agent

c. Constant boiling mixture

a. Oleum is known as pyrosulphuric acid and has a formula of H2S2O7. Oleum helps in the transferring of sulphuric acid compounds. It has a high enthalpy of hydration which helps in the manufacturing of sulphuric acid.

b. Dehydrating agent is a compound with a mere affinity for water. It helps in removing the atoms of hydrogen and oxygen in the form of water from a substance.

c. The mixture boils constantly and there is no change in its composition.

5. Why is sulphuric acid known as the king of chemicals and oil vitriol?

Sulphuric acid is known as the king of chemicals because of its extensive use in most industries directly or indirectly. It is produced from the green vitriol FeSO4·7H2O in the 8th century. The appearance of vitriol is oily and therefore it is known as oil of green vitriol and it is present in vitreous and glassy substances, for example, ferrous sulphate, etc. Supluric has many applications which are used in the manufacturing of fertilisers, paint, dyes, explosives and in labs as a dehydrating and oxidising agent, etc.