Question
Question: Dissolution of \(S{O_3}\) in water is...
Dissolution of SO3 in water is
Solution
SO3 dissolves in water and gives a high amount of heat. It produces white fumes. Sulfur trioxide SO3 reacts with water to produce H2SO4. It is highly corrosive. Directly SO3 cannot be dissolved in water as the reaction is highly exothermic.
Complete answer:
Sulfur trioxide SO3 is a white colorless crystalline solid. It is a precursor to sulfuric acid. It exists in many forms-solid polymer, crystalline trimmer, and gaseous monomer. It is a highly reactive compound and a very strong oxidizing agent. It is a thermodynamically unstable compound to selenium dioxide. It is the most important economical compound.SO3 in gaseous form is a precursor to acid rain. It is solid below room temperature.
The structure of sulfur trioxide contains one sulfur atom bonded to three oxygen atoms. Sulfur is bonded to three oxygen atoms through the double bond. Every oxygen atom has two lone pairs; sulfur doesn’t have any lone pairs. Sulfur dioxide undergoes oxidation in the presence of air to produce SO3
SO3 is reactive in water. Sulfur trioxide SO3 dissolves in water and reacts with it to form an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The reaction is exothermic and explosive. SO3 picks up the water easily when exposed to sunlight and then it gives white fumes. With the release of heat SO3 reacts with water violently and forms pure sulfuric acid. Therefore the dissolution of SO3 is an exothermic reaction.
Note:
When SO3 reacts with water it gives aqueousH2SO4. The vapor in equilibrium with the solution contains both SO3 and H2O. If enoughSO3is added, the entirety of the water will produce a pure form of H2SO4. And if more of SO3 is added it will dissolve to form a solution of SO3 and H2SO4. This solution is known as oleum or fuming sulfuric acid (H2S2O7)