Question

Assertion:
${H_2}SO4$ is a strong oxidizing agent
Reason:
Concentrated ${H_2}S{O_4}$ oxidizes sulfite ions to sulphur trioxide
A) Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
B) Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
C) Assertion is Correct and Reason is not correct.
D) Both Reason and Assertion are incorrect.

Answer 1

Hint: An oxidising agent (also known as an oxidizer or oxidant) is a chemical species that appears to oxidise other compounds, causing them to lose electrons and thus increase their oxidation state. Halogens (such as chlorine and fluorine), oxygen, and hydrogen peroxide are all examples of oxidising agents (${H_2}{O_2}$).

Complete answer:
Sulphuric acid, also known as oil of vitriol, is a sulphur, oxygen, and hydrogen-containing mineral acid with the molecular formula ${H_2}S{O_4}$. It is a colourless, odourless, viscous liquid that is miscible in all concentrations of water.
Oxidizing agents can be classified in two ways:
As an electron acceptor: they are chemical compounds whose atoms in a chemical reaction detach at least one electron from another atom. Oxidizing agents are reactants that undergo reduction in redox reactions, according to this description.
As an atom-transfer material: In a chemical reaction, an oxidising agent is a material that passes at least one electronegative atom to a chemical species. Usually, the transferred atom is an oxygen atom. The transition of an electronegative atom between two reactants is involved in a number of combustion reactions and organic redox reactions.
${H_2}S{O_4}$ is a strong oxidizer. Since ${H_2}S{O_4}$ is a strong acid, it reacts with a weak amphoteric base water in dilute concentrations to produce ${H_3}O$ + ions. However, since the condensed solution is very watery, it continues to form ${H_2}O$. It condenses to ${H_2}S{O_3}$, which is unstable, so it is further dissolved to ${H_2}O + S{O_3}$, which satisfies its desire.
As a result, concentrated sulfuric acid produces nascent oxygen and ${H_2}S{O_3}$. This nascent oxygen serves as an oxidizer.
\[
  {H_2}S{O_4} \to [O] + {H_2}S{O_3} \\
  {H_2}S{O_3} \to SO{_3} + {H_2}O. \\
 \]

Note:
Concentrated sulphuric acid can act as both an acid and an oxidizer. The hydrogen halide is formed when condensed sulphuric acid adds a hydrogen ion to the halide ion. Since this is a gas, it escapes from the system almost instantly.