Question

Oil of vitriol is:
A. $\text{HN}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$
B. HCl
C. ${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}\text{S}{{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}}$
D. ${{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}\text{P}{{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}}$

Answer 1

Hint: The reason behind the name of oil of vitriol gives us an idea about the compound. So, before answering for the compound, we need to know the origin of the name. The oil of vitriol is an example of mineral acid. The name behind the compound is based on the reactants of the preparation method of oil of vitriol.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Sulphuric acid whose chemical formula is ${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}\text{S}{{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}}$ is known as the ‘oil of vitriol’. The name ‘oil of vitriol’ was given to Sulphuric Acid by the medieval European chemists. The reason behind the origin of the name is very interesting.
Earlier Sulphuric Acid was prepared from green vitriol. By green vitriol we mean Iron (II) Sulphate or as we know $\text{FeS}{{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}}$.
The process involved the roasting of green vitriol in an iron container. And thus the name oil of vitriol.
Therefore, the correct option is Option C.

Additional Information:
We have mentioned in the answer, that sulphuric acid is formed from the roasting of Iron (II) Sulphate. So, we should be having an idea about the process of roasting. Roasting is defined as a process of heating of sulphide ore to a high temperature in presence of air. In roasting, the ore or the ore concentrate is treated with very hot air. This process is generally applied to the sulphide minerals.
During the process of roasting, the sulphide is converted to an oxide and sulphur is released as sulphur dioxide, a gas.

Note: Oil of vitriol is a dense, corrosive, colourless to brownish, dense, water miscible liquid. It is mainly used for manufacturing fertilizers, chemicals, explosives, and in petroleum refining. Sulphuric Acid or as we know oil of vitriol is also used in cleaning up of rust from steel rolls and soap. It also dissolved many compounds.